Zaicevs fined 780 euros for failing to appear in court in sick leave fraud case
Former Daugavpils councillor Jurijs Zaicevs has received a monetary fine of 780 euros for unjustified absence from a court hearing. The Latgale Regional Court has postponed the examination of the case until 20 April next year.
Zaicevs fails to appear in court — 780 euro fine
Former Daugavpils councillor and employee of the municipal company "Daugavpils siltumtīkli" Jurijs Zaicevs has been imposed a monetary fine of 780 euros for unjustified failure to appear at a court hearing, according to TVNET.
The Latgale Regional Court has postponed the examination of the criminal case until 20 April next year. The accused failed to appear at Wednesday's hearing and had not notified the court of the reasons for his absence, and was therefore ordered to pay a fine equivalent to the minimum monthly wage.
The case reached the court of appeal after Zaicevs himself submitted an appeal. In the first instance — the Latgale District Court — he was found guilty of forgery of a document, seal and stamp, and fraud in a small amount, with a final sentence of community service for 240 hours.
The court ruling also provides for recovery from the former politician of compensation for damage to "Daugavpils siltumtīkli" in the amount of 139 euros — precisely the sum that Zaicevs received as sickness benefit, company representatives explained to the LETA news agency. In addition, Zaicevs was ordered to pay procedural costs for legal assistance of 720 euros.
According to the charges clarified by news agency LETA, the fraud was related to the embezzlement of sickness benefit using forged documents.
Zaicevs was a board member of the party "Latvian Russian Union" and head of the Strategic Planning and Development division of "Daugavpils siltumtīkli". He has previously been charged in another criminal case — related to the forgery of the minutes of the founding meeting of the party "Honour and Order".
"Daugavpils siltumtīkli" is a company wholly owned by Daugavpils Municipality that provides the production and distribution of thermal energy.
Source: TVNET