Erik Strand, 27.10.2026
In this article on iNyheter, one can read that Jo Heinum, communication advisor in the Norwegain Labour Party’s parliamentary group, has been sentenced to prison for 30 days for furthering a woman’s prostitution. During a period of more than two years, at least NOK 795.000 that came from sale of sexual services passed through Heinum’s private bank account.
In addition to being communication advisor, Heinum was deputy Member of Parliament from Sogn og Fjordane county during the period 1989-93.
According to the verdict, Heinum functioned as an economical link between a woman of foreign origin who sold sexual services, and her customers. The customers paid for sexual services by payments to his accounts. He also received cash that was deposited in his accounts. Thereafter, the money were transferred to the woman or other accounts.
The court found that Heinum made it easier for the woman to work as a prostitute, and that the payment practice made it more difficult to trace the customers.
Oslo city court found that Heinum did not get economical benefits from the prostitution, and that the illegal practice did not constitute exploitation of the woman. The court therefore found that the illegal acts were among the lesser serious criminal acts in this category.
Heinum also had a sexual relation with the woman for a shorter perioc before the illegal actions took place. The court underlined that it did not find anny connection between this relationship and the illegal activity.
Heinum has not denied what he has been sentenced to and says that he has a clear consciousness. He describes his actions as an attempt to help the woman, but admits that his actions turned out to be illegal.
Before some newspapers identified Heinim by name, several media wrote about a Labour Party politician being sentenced for pinping, without mentioning his name. In this article in Journalisten, professional magazine for journalists, some journalists justify not mentioning Heinum’s name.
