The former president of the United States is once again asked: "Is this a complete lie?"

On June 30, the leadership of the Slovenian ice hockey club HDD Jesenice faced renewed scrutiny after the current president, Gregor Goričar, accused his predecessor, Peter Bohinec, of fabricating claims about financial mismanagement. The dispute centers around allegations that the new leadership had concealed the true financial state of the club during its handover in May 2026, leading to the cancellation of the upcoming season 2026/27 at the Sport Park Podmežakla. According to statements released by the club, a detailed review of operations revealed discrepancies between the presented financial picture and the actual situation, with unexpected past liabilities having been inadequately disclosed. The leadership of HDD Jesenice, which took office in April, had previously announced in late June that due to severe financial difficulties, they were offering their resignation. They stated that upon a thorough examination of the club’s operations, it became clear that the circumstances were not aligned with the image presented during the handover. It was noted that unforeseen past liabilities, whose legal status and financial scope had not been adequately disclosed beforehand, posed an insurmountable burden. These obligations, described as legally enforceable, rendered the implementation of the season under the current board impossible. In response to these accusations, Bohinec, the former president who stepped down in September 2025, called out what he described as systematic smear campaigns, political attacks, and false accusations by the current leadership and local politicians. He claimed that the allegations of hidden financial conditions during the handover on May 7, 2026, were entirely untrue and part of a deliberate political manipulation. Bohinec further alleged that the current president, Goričar, had already received a detailed financial report on March 31, 2026—over a month before the handover and three weeks prior to his appointment, as proof of transparency and informed decision-making. Bohinec's statement included a detailed account of the email exchange between the club’s director, Anže Pogačar, and the general secretary of the Slovenian Ice Hockey Association, Dejan Kontrec. This communication contained official financial reports covering the years 2021 through 2025, providing a comprehensive overview of the club’s financial standing. Bohinec argued that this evidence demonstrated the current leadership’s awareness of the club’s challenging financial position and their commitment to securing solutions and new sponsors. However, he claimed that the current leadership had failed to fulfill their promises within three months and instead shifted blame onto the previous administration, thereby harming the club’s reputation and the broader community. The Sport Park Podmežakla, the home venue of HDD Jesenice, has become a focal point in this controversy. The club’s leadership has emphasized that the current president, despite being aware of the financial challenges, chose to proceed with the season under the existing structure. The ongoing conflict highlights internal tensions within the club, with both sides accusing each other of dishonesty and political maneuvering. As the situation unfolds, the club faces the challenge of maintaining stability while navigating the fallout from these public disputes. The outcome will likely depend on how these allegations are resolved and whether independent audits can provide clarity on the financial matters at stake.