RIGA — Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis has ordered an ethics probe into the State Chancellery and its top official, who has come under fire for apparent abuses of office.
State Chancellery Director Gunta Veismane allegedly suggested that the State Security Police tap the phone of a reporter from the LETA news agency after the latter publicized classified information obtained at a meeting of parliament’s European affairs committee. The committee’s chairwoman, Vaira Paegle, said in a recent interview that Veismane suggested the wiretap in a private conversation after expressing[private_supervisor]exasperation with the journalist.
Apparently some of the material published was, according to Veismane, not meant to leave the parliamentary meeting. Veismane has reportedly denied Paegle’s allegations about the wiretap.
Dombrovskis signed a decree on Monday placing renowned investigator Jute Strīķe in charge of the probe, which will include an assessment of the State Chancellery’s handling of EU Social Funds projects. Results of the probe should be ready in one month.
According to media reports, Veismane also used her diplomatic passport during a private visit to Egypt, a move that has also triggered criticism.
Ieva Aile, a spokeswoman for Veismane, told BNS that Veismane “fully respects the decision of the prime minister as the political leader and she is ready to provide all the necessary information for the inquiry.”
Dombrovskis told the press last week that the allegations against Veismane were serious and that if they proved to be true the government would consider further actions. On Tuesday last week it was reported that the prime minister slashed Veismane’s salary from 2,800 lats (€4,000) to 1,715 lats.
The probe will most likely be harsh. Strīķe is deputy chief of the anti-corruption buerau (KNAB) who won enormous respect in Latvian society after she locked horns with the country’s richest businessmen — particularly Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs — in 2004.
She is believed to have close relations with New Era, whose members defended her from attacks by former Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, who was a member of Lembergs’ Greens and Farmers Union.[/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]exasperation with the journalist.
Apparently some of the material published was, according to Veismane, not meant to leave the parliamentary meeting. Veismane has reportedly denied Paegle’s allegations about the wiretap.
Dombrovskis signed a decree on Monday placing renowned investigator Jute Strīķe in charge of the probe, which will include an assessment of the State Chancellery’s handling of EU Social Funds projects. Results of the probe should be ready in one month.
According to media reports, Veismane also used her diplomatic passport during a private visit to Egypt, a move that has also triggered criticism.
Ieva Aile, a spokeswoman for Veismane, told BNS that Veismane “fully respects the decision of the prime minister as the political leader and she is ready to provide all the necessary information for the inquiry.”
Dombrovskis told the press last week that the allegations against Veismane were serious and that if they proved to be true the government would consider further actions. On Tuesday last week it was reported that the prime minister slashed Veismane’s salary from 2,800 lats (€4,000) to 1,715 lats.
The probe will most likely be harsh. Strīķe is deputy chief of the anti-corruption buerau (KNAB) who won enormous respect in Latvian society after she locked horns with the country’s richest businessmen — particularly Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs — in 2004.
She is believed to have close relations with New Era, whose members defended her from attacks by former Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, who was a member of Lembergs’ Greens and Farmers Union.[/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]exasperation with the journalist.
Apparently some of the material published was, according to Veismane, not meant to leave the parliamentary meeting. Veismane has reportedly denied Paegle’s allegations about the wiretap.
Dombrovskis signed a decree on Monday placing renowned investigator Jute Strīķe in charge of the probe, which will include an assessment of the State Chancellery’s handling of EU Social Funds projects. Results of the probe should be ready in one month.
According to media reports, Veismane also used her diplomatic passport during a private visit to Egypt, a move that has also triggered criticism.
Ieva Aile, a spokeswoman for Veismane, told BNS that Veismane “fully respects the decision of the prime minister as the political leader and she is ready to provide all the necessary information for the inquiry.”
Dombrovskis told the press last week that the allegations against Veismane were serious and that if they proved to be true the government would consider further actions. On Tuesday last week it was reported that the prime minister slashed Veismane’s salary from 2,800 lats (€4,000) to 1,715 lats.
The probe will most likely be harsh. Strīķe is deputy chief of the anti-corruption buerau (KNAB) who won enormous respect in Latvian society after she locked horns with the country’s richest businessmen — particularly Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs — in 2004.
She is believed to have close relations with New Era, whose members defended her from attacks by former Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, who was a member of Lembergs’ Greens and Farmers Union.[/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]exasperation with the journalist.
Apparently some of the material published was, according to Veismane, not meant to leave the parliamentary meeting. Veismane has reportedly denied Paegle’s allegations about the wiretap.
Dombrovskis signed a decree on Monday placing renowned investigator Jute Strīķe in charge of the probe, which will include an assessment of the State Chancellery’s handling of EU Social Funds projects. Results of the probe should be ready in one month.
According to media reports, Veismane also used her diplomatic passport during a private visit to Egypt, a move that has also triggered criticism.
Ieva Aile, a spokeswoman for Veismane, told BNS that Veismane “fully respects the decision of the prime minister as the political leader and she is ready to provide all the necessary information for the inquiry.”
Dombrovskis told the press last week that the allegations against Veismane were serious and that if they proved to be true the government would consider further actions. On Tuesday last week it was reported that the prime minister slashed Veismane’s salary from 2,800 lats (€4,000) to 1,715 lats.
The probe will most likely be harsh. Strīķe is deputy chief of the anti-corruption buerau (KNAB) who won enormous respect in Latvian society after she locked horns with the country’s richest businessmen — particularly Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs — in 2004.
She is believed to have close relations with New Era, whose members defended her from attacks by former Prime Minister Indulis Emsis, who was a member of Lembergs’ Greens and Farmers Union.[/private_subscription 1 year]
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