The Riga City Court has handed down prison sentences to two former drivers of Nils Ušakov, ex-mayor of Riga, for engaging in large-scale fraud against the municipal company 'Rīgas satiksme.' Andris Saulītis was sentenced to four years, while Juris Kukulis received a two-and-a-half-year sentence. Additionally, they, along with former technical support director Ingvars Šnikvalds, who aided them, were ordered to compensate approximately €247,000 to the company for the fraudulent amounts they received.

This case is part of a broader investigation into fictitious employees within the Riga City Council and highlights ongoing issues of corruption within local government organizations. The fraud committed by Saulītis occurred years before Ušakov's political coalition took power, suggesting that such malpractices have long been a concern within the city's administration.

With Ušakov, leader of the 'Saskaņa' party, having previously been a prominent figure in Riga's governance, this sentence serves as a significant example of how systemic corruption can be addressed in public administration, indicating a shift towards greater accountability. The implications of this ruling could extend to further investigations into other potential cases of corruption and misuse of public funds in Latvia.