Government lawmaker fined for fiddling his expenses

Take note – story published 2 years ago

On Thursday, August 5, the Vidzeme District Court of the City of Rīga imposed a fine of 6,000 euros on Saeima deputy Aldis Adamovičs (New Unity party) for fraudulently claiming compensation for rent and transport expenses.

In addition, Adamovičs is barred from the Saeima for one year for fiddling his parliamentary expenses, which will also prevent him acting as -- ironically enough -- secretary of the Saeima Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee.

The court also upheld the prosecutor's claim for compensation for pecuniary damage and decided to recover from Adamovičs the amount of 3,550 euros in favor of the state.

Adamovičs briefly told reporters after the court hearing that he did not agree with the verdict and would appeal against it.

"I categorically disagree with the facts of the fraud of which I am being accused... Of course, we will appeal." said Adamovičs.

Last autumn, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) requested that the deputy be prosecuted under three articles of the Criminal Law, namely fraud, abuse of office and forgery. In the end Adamovičs was charged with just the fraud and forgery charges.

According to the charges, the Saeima deputy is accused of fraudulently claiming compensation of transport expenses worth 83 euros and rental expenses for seven months worth 3,150 euros.

The court decision is likely to a considerable embarassment to the New Unity party of Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš and its law-and-order credentials.

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