Former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki sentenced for fraud and forgery

Former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki has been sentenced in the Helsinki District Court to 45 days’ suspended imprisonment for fraud and forgery, according to Seiska and Helsingin Sanomat.

The guitarist was convicted when he applied for income support worth more than €3,000 (around US$3,200) in 2020, concealing his real income and the funds in his bank account from Kela (Finland’s Social Insurance Institution). The forgery conviction was due to Tolkki falsifying his bank statements to Kela. Some of his wrongdoings were the deletion of transactions and altering of balances on his bank statement, in order to conceal his true income.

The musician was ordered by the court to repay to Kela €3,063 in income support, besides having to pay a criminal victim surcharge of €80 to the state.

Tolkki did not appear in the district court, arguing in a letter that he was going through a “bad time” when the crimes were committed. Besides, Tolkki stated that he suffers from bipolar disorder.

The musician did not want to comment on the matter when asked by Seiska.

The publication also affirms the judgment is not yet final.