Traffic control officials took 3,000 euros in bribes, say investigators

Criminal proceedings have been launched against eighteen officials in relation to alleged bribe taking at the Riga City Council Traffic Control Department service.

The charges come against five officials and thirteen private individuals, the Corruption Prevention Bureau (CPB) service says.

Investigators say they have gathered enough evidence indicating that the Control Service's officials acted in violation of the service's interests whilst accepting bribes from transport companies' representatives and in turn turning a blind eye to these companies' violations.

According to the Corruption Prevention Bureau, the Control Service's officials accepted bribes in the amount of 3,757 euros.

One of the officials abused his powers and acted contrary to the interests of the Control Service by reducing contractual penalties for some transport companies, causing 6,049 euros worth of losses to the local government.

"I hope that law enforcement action in this case will be fruitful and the perpetrators will receive punishment , " said Nils Usakovs, mayor of Riga.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau wants that criminal proceedings be launched against eighteen persons for bribe-taking, mediating bribe-taking, abuse of office and bribe-giving.