Riga Education Department head receives penalty for unlawful use of official vehicle
Law-enforcement authorities have imposed sanctions on Ivars Balamovskis, former head of Riga Municipality's Education, Culture and Sport Department, for using an official car for private purposes and falsifying related documentation.
Riga Education Department head receives penalty for unlawful use of official vehicle
Law-enforcement authorities have imposed sanctions on Ivars Balamovskis, former head of Riga Municipality's Education, Culture and Sport Department, for using an official car for private purposes and falsifying related documentation. The specific amount of the penalty is not being disclosed for now, as the decision can still be contested, reports PMO.ee.
The charges were brought on the grounds that in autumn and winter 2025, after work hours ended, the official used a vehicle assigned to him for work duties for personal trips, including to reach his place of residence. To conceal such conduct and avoid paying personal transport expenses, he entered false information in route record documents.
In the papers, it was supposedly recorded that trips began and ended at the workplace car park, although in reality the car was used for other purposes. Balamovskis acknowledged his guilt and accepted responsibility for the violation committed.
The investigation authorities noted that no material damage was caused to the municipality. The case was concluded with a prosecutor's decision to impose a penalty. It is expected that the decision will become final at the end of this week, at which point information about the type of penalty will be made public.
For such an offence, the law provides for the possibility of depriving liberty for a period of up to four years, imposing probation supervision, sentencing to community service, imposing a monetary fine, or prohibiting holding certain positions for up to five years.
Balamovskis took up the position of head in spring 2025, when Riga City Council approved him for this position. He has already announced his resignation from the post.
Source: Apollo