Anti-corruption bureau searches Olaine council in two criminal cases

KNAB, Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, carried out searches and other procedural actions in the Olaine area, including at the Olaine municipality, in the first half of November, the bureau confirmed on Friday in reply to questions from the LETA news agency. The searches are linked to two criminal cases opened by KNAB.

Two cases

The first case was opened on 29 September over possible abuse of office for personal gain and incitement to commit it. KNAB is looking at several episodes in which the chairman of the Olaine municipal council may have used his position to gain unjustified advantages for himself and others. Five people have the status of persons entitled to a defence: three municipal officials, one employee and one businessman.

The second case was opened on 13 October, also over possible abuse of office, and was later extended to fraud committed by a group by prior agreement. In it, KNAB is examining how money was spent at Olaines ūdens un siltums, the municipality's water and heating company. Four people have the right to a defence: an official and an employee of the company, a board member of another firm and a private individual. The bureau gave no further details.

Mayor points to vehicle and footbridge

Andris Bergs, the mayor of Olaine, told LETA that one case concerns a council vehicle used to take people to the funeral of a colleague's father. The other, he said, is about a footbridge over a ditch to make it easier for residents to cross. Companies had quoted around €25,000, but he agreed with a businessman to build it for €8,000. Bergs said he faces a charge of abuse of office over it. He said it was the first time he had been in such a situation and that he was not ashamed to explain what the cases were about.

No one has been found guilty in either case. The Olaine municipality is the sole owner of Olaines ūdens un siltums, which had turnover of €10.46 million in 2025.