Corruption Prevention Bureau slaps fines on Puce, Balsevics, Backurs on parking space scandal

RIGA - The Corruption Prevention Bureau (KNAB) has slapped fines on former environment protection and regional development minister Juris Puce (For Development), former head of temporary administration of the Riga city council, Edvins Balsevics and former Riga City Council lawmaker Andris Backurs (For Latvia's Development).

KNAB has completed probe in public reports for illegal use of parking permits issued by the municipal public transport company Rigas Satiksme.

KNAB found out that the three officials - Puce, Balsevics and Backurs - had breached the law on the conflict of interests.

Former Riga City Council officials Balsevics and Backurs handed to a third persons, Puce, a monthly ticket for free parking at Rigas Satikme parking space, thus, violating the law, while Puce breached the law by accepting such a gift.

As reported, the Corruption Prevention Bureau looked into the allegation that Puce could have been illegally using a parking permit issued by the municipal public transport company Rigas Satiksme.

Puce has admitted lying about the permit, and stepped down as the environmental protection and regional development minister.