Corruption, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Transport

Nils Usakovs.

In a press briefing today, Usakovs told members of the press that after the announcements on possible corrupt activities at the Transportation Department, the CPB has not followed through and made no arrests in connection with the scandal, which, according to him, is not logical.

Usakovs expressed the point of view that the CPB's activities at the Transportation Department is political retaliation by Unity, which used its ''friendly relations'' with the bureau for politically motivated activities.

The Riga mayor went even further to say that voters should vote especially for those persons which the media has identified as being involved in the corruption scandal in the upcoming Riga elections, as a sign of support.

As reported, in regard to the latest corruption scandal to hit the Riga City Council, a monthly bribe of LVL 50 was requested from public transportation companies for every passenger mini-bus, the nightly newscast ''Panorama'' reported last week.

According unofficial information obtained by ''Panorama'', a Riga City Council Transportation Department official demanded the bribes for decisions to be made in favor of the public transportation companies.

The bribes were paid to the Latvian United Members' Trade Union, and were registered as membership fees and support payments for the trade union's cultural and entertainment events.

Approximately LVL 150,000 in bribes were paid from the autumn of 2010 to the end of last year.

Out of the eight public transportation companies offering passenger mini-bus services in the city, it is likely that half of them paid the mentioned bribes. Meanwhile, those companies which refused to pay the bribes were hit with various obscure fines, ''Panorama'' reported.

LETA also reported, according to information obtained by LETA, the head of the Riga City Council Transportation Department chief's bureau Vitalijs Reinbahs was questioned in connection with the bribery scandal.

Reinbahs is also the former head Latvian United Members' Trade Union.

According to the CPB, there are two suspects in the case. One of them is suspected of demanding a large bribe, the other – of supporting these illegal activities.