RIGA — Company deputy director Uldis Bariss was promoted to chairman of the power utility Latvenergo after the company’s top brass was arrested on suspicion of corruption.
Five members of the top management team at Latvia’s state-owned electricity company Latvenergo were arrested by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau on June 16. The case goes back over the past four years and involves bribery, embezzlement and money laundering.
Minister of Economy Artis Kampars confirmed to reporters that the Latvenergo group’s head Karlis Mikelsons and his deputy Aigars Melko had been removed from their respective posts.
Others involved in the corruption bust will continue to work for the company.
Some €1.13 million were laundered during the four year scandal, which involves eight people. Those involved allegedly abused their position and ignored the company’s interests for personal gain.
Five Latvenergo group executives have been arrested in the case: Mikelsons, Melko, Sadales tikls board chairman Ivars Liuziniks and his deputy Andrejs Stalazs, as well as Sadales tikls technical director for the eastern region, Edgars Vitkovskis.
Also arrested were Buvenergoserviss Ltd’s sole owner and CEO Mihails Paladijs, and the company’s former board member Andrejs Livanovics, also owner of Energy Consulting Ltd.
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