After losing his Jurmala City Council deputy’s mandate and mayoral seat, member of the Latvian Green Party (LZP) Gatis Truksnis intends to remain working at the city council as an advisor to vice-mayor Jānis Lediņš in order to «continue working on promises previously given to voters», as reported by LTV programme De Facto.
On the 25th of November the Supreme Court’s Criminal Affairs Department decided to maintain the verdict issued by Riga Regional Court on the 29th of November unchanged. According to this verdict, Truksnis was found guilty of service fraud. He was fined a total of EUR 5 000. Truksnis lost his seat in the city council as a result of this verdict. The manager of his office – Ingrīda Vilkārse – was convicted alongside him.
The case was commenced by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), which focused on the relationship between Truksnis and businessman Jūlijs Krūmiņš. Of the suspicions initially presented to Truksnis, including accepting illegal financing for his party and possible bribery, only the case regarding the fake mission reached the court. All other investigation directions were terminated by either KNAB or the prosecution office.
More on this topic: Mayor of Jurmala removed from office and city council
According to the programme, after the verdict Truksnis remained working in the city council in order to continue working on promises previously given to voters. His colleagues in the party confirm this is the case. The head of the mayor’s office will remain in her post despite covering up for Truksnis’ absence.
«Neither the verdict, nor the law provides any additional sanctions that prevent us from working anywhere, being members in political organisations, beekeeper organisations or golf clubs.»
«[…] I lost my seats as city council chairman and deputy. If some person believes this is not enough of a punishment for a mission that didn’t happen, then it is their opinion,» said Truksnis.
Previously the vice-mayor and Truksnis’ most likely successor Rita Sproģe claims Truksnis becoming the advisor to vice-mayor Lediņš was a decision made by the ruling coalition. «This was the solution to the situation and to prevent the loss of such an experienced official like Truksnis,» added Lediņš.
Latvian Green Party initially promised to exclude Truksnis from the party, but no longer.