The Riga regional prosecutor's office has brought charges against publicist Lato Lapsa for evading income tax payments amounting to 27,795 euros. According to reports from the LETA agency, the prosecution has stated that Lapsa, motivated by profit, deliberately concealed his services and the income derived from them that are subject to income tax. This case reflects broader concerns regarding tax evasion practices within the country.

Between September 28, 2018, and June 22, 2021, the accused allegedly utilized a fraudulent transaction chain to obscure the services he provided to clients. The prosecutor's office explained that this intricate arrangement involved the use of six companies, under whose names services were formally provided, disguising some of them as legal services and media monitoring. However, the evidence indicates that Lapsa was actually preparing publications and facilitating their publication on a website instead of providing the declared services.

The investigation has yielded significant evidence confirming the operation of this fraudulent transaction chain, which was used to manage payments and fulfill obligations while avoiding tax liabilities. This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in financial dealings, particularly as public figures are expected to adhere to tax regulations. The outcome of this case could serve as a precedent for other similar cases in Latvia, potentially influencing public trust in the media and the accountability of public figures regarding financial propriety.