CPCB Director Normunds Vilnitis (on the right) and Deputy Directors - Alvis Vilks and Juta Strike

The last year’s actions and decisions of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (CPCB) Director Normunds Vilnitis (Normunds Vilnītis) create an impression that his true goal is to reduce the establishments capacity, which would subsequently lead to actual liquidation of the institution, believe CPCB employees.

Moreover the institution’s employees have asked the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis not to accept the reorganisation plans published by the Director of CPCB, as their implementation would enable the efficiently operating Bureau’s transition to a formal anti-corruption institution «pretence», reports LETA.

The employees have revealed their standpoint in an open letter, emphasizing – the planned reorganisation will result in the administrative apparatus expansion. Accordingly, the current Deputy Directors will be deprived of decision-making rights, the corruption combating and prevention functions will be scattered among different groups, divisions and departments. It is also pointed out instead of ten divisions there will be 21 structural units, and instead of two Deputy Directors – one Deputy and three Department Heads.

The letter was signed by both Deputy Directors – Alvis Vilks and Juta Strīķe, as well as by the Heads of Division of Investigations, Division of Criminal Intelligence Process, Division of Control of Political Parties Financing, Division of Control of Public Officials Activities and Corruption Prevention Division.

It was previously reported that the National Security Commission has conceptually decided, based on the specifically prepared report by the CPCB commission, Vilnitis has not violated his competence limits and, has acted lawfully when drafting the Bureau’s reforms to improve the activities in the regions.

Consequently, the Prime Minister should withdraw the resolution on cancelling CPCB reforms addressed to N. Vilnitis, and permit the introduction of changes to the Bureau’s structure. Vilnitis could also achieve the reorganisation of CPCB and, although his proposed CPCB reform structure has now been changed, no reasons were found to stop Vilnitis plans on CPCB activities expansion in the regions.