In December 2021 LLC Dienas bizness publishing house paid in full the amount fined for exceeding political promotion costs to the state budget – EUR 104 500, as reported by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB).
KNAB and Dienas Bizness signed an administrative agreement at the end of 2020. This agreement provided for the publishing house paying back the political promotion costs to the state budget in multiple instalments.
As previously reported, shortly before 13th Saeima elections Dienas Bizness released two special editions in which it praised KPV LV and Harmony political parties. Each special edition was published in 800 000 units.
The publishing house claimed it was part of its newspaper’s subscription service. KNAB, however, believes it was political promotion. In May 2020 KNAB fined Dienas bizness EUR 1 400 and ordered the repayment of EUR 104 500 to the state budget for exceeding the amount permitted to be spent on political promotion.
To prevent anyone from influencing large amounts of money to influence the outcome of elections, it is permitted to spend no more than EUR 6 000 on political promotion of third parties. According to estimates from KNAB, Dienas bizness had spent much more on its special editions.
In summer 2020 Dienas mediji owned Edgars Kots became the owner of 100% of shares in Dienas bizness publishing house. This person is often mentioned as having ties to the infamous triumvirate – Lembergs, Šlesers and Šķēle.
Read also: Kaimiņš: I can’t save KPV LV from Šlesers’, Lembergs’ and ZZS’ influence
Since 2019 Dienas bizness, which was previously issued as a newspaper, has been issued as a magazine on a weekly basis.
According to information from Firmas.lv, in 2020 the company operated with turnover of EUR 923 241, which is 33.3% less when compared the year prior. Losses decreased 32.4% – EUR 258 075.
Publishing house Dienas bizness pays fine worth more than EUR 100 000
