Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has commenced investigation of possible act of bribery involving Latvia’s State Revenue Service (VID). The size of the possible bribe may reach EUR 25 000.
KNAB reports that on 2 June criminal proceedings commenced over suspicion of possible large scale bribery committed by a group following a prior agreement.
KNAB does not report the exact size of the bribe. However, in accordance with the law, criminal liability appears if the total extent of the damages caused by a crime reaches a size of at least 50 minimal monthly wages. This amount is currently EUR 25 000.
According to information from LETA, Riga City Court of Law has put one Intars Štālbergs, who is the head of an office at VID Tax and Customs Police, under arrest.
Štālbergs has the right to challenge the court’s decision at Riga Regional Court.
The official’s publicly available declaration for 2021 states the man’s income was EUR 53 373 last year. EUR 34 316 of this amount was his wage in VID.
Štālbergs also declared four cars – Dodge Durango (1998), Lincoln Navigator (1997), Audi A3 (2004) and Jaguar XJ 4.0 (1999), as well as possession of Infinity FX 35 (2004).
His savings on his bank account accounted for EUR 20 358 and debts accounted for EUR 21 670 last year.
As previously reported, on Tuesday, 23 August, KNAB performed criminal proceedings at multiple locations, including State Revenue Service (VID). Several people were detained.
Three persons were detained. Two other have the right to defence. The court decided to put two persons under arrest.
KNAB thanked the Prosecution Office for Investigation of Public Office Holders Misconduct Offences and VID Internal Security Office for the support provided during the investigation.