Funds delayed for Patent Office

RIGA - Patent Office Director Reinis Berzins received confirmation on Oct. 21 that the Patent Office has been granted the right to use the largest share of more than 1 million lats (1.4 million euros) that was hidden by the office’s former director Zigrids Aumeisters in German and Swiss bank accounts, reports LETA. Berzins said that, at the moment, though, it is still not possible to access the accounts and name the exact amounts contained therein, since the bank’s confirmation was only verbal.

The Patent Office expected that the bank’s official and written confirmation would be received this week. The other foreign bank could confirm the office’s rights to operate with the account at approximately the same time.
He is convinced that the Patent Office will manage to retrieve the entire sum deposited in these accounts.
It was on Sept. 27 that the State Police launched a criminal process against Aumeisters, who, possibly, conducted double accounting and hid more than 1 million lats in German and Swiss bank accounts.

State Police spokesperson Andis Rinkevics said that the criminal process against Aumeisters was launched on intentionally exceeding the limits of rights and authority granted to a state official by law if substantial harm is caused thereby to the state, administrative order or rights and interests protected by law of a person.
If convicted, Aumeisters could be sentenced to up to three years in prison, community service, or a fine in the amount of up to 100 minimum monthly wages.

Only Aumeisters knew about the secret accounts.