The Daugavpils City Council is under suspicion of issuing unjustified environmental advertising permits to companies owned by the husband of the department head, prompting an audit.
The Daugavpils City Council is currently facing scrutiny over allegations of improperly granting numerous environmental advertising permits to businesses linked to the husband of Santa Pupina, head of the city's Planning and Construction Department. An official audit has been initiated to investigate these claims, highlighting concerns about potential misuse of authority and the transparency of the permit issuance process.
The council clarified through the LETA news agency that although the Office of Corruption Prevention and Combating (KNAB) has conducted a search and an audit is underway in the relevant department, the two events are unrelated and coincidence is at play. This statement is meant to alleviate concerns that the ongoing audit and KNAB's activities are interlinked, implying that allegations may be politically motivated rather than founded on substantial evidence.
In response to the corruption risk analysis, the council has decided to dissolve the Planning and Construction Department and enhance the independence of its existing structural unit, the Building Board. This move is indicative of efforts to fortify governance and address conflicts of interest, particularly regarding the decision-making process that might involve state officials manipulating information for personal gains or potential collusion. Heads are turning within the local government as this situation unfolds, raising questions about the integrity of city leadership.
