The car purchase deal for the Chairman of the parliamentary faction of Unity Dzintars Zakis should be reviewed by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (CPCB), claims Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis.

Dzintars Zakis

The Prime Minister noted that situations like this should not be rushed and that they should first receive the assessment of the CPCB on this issue. At the same time, Dombrovskis said in an interview to 900 seconds broadcast of LNT television channel that this is not the first case of journalist Lato Lapsa voicing loud statements about politicians’ violations, which are usually not true.

«I haven’t talked to Zakis yet, but I plan to do it», – Dombrovskis said.

«All I can say right now is this – The wolf said that he will look into the claim of the fox about hare’s violations», – the Prime Minister joked. (The surname of Deputy Director of CPCB Alvis Vilks means «wolf» in English, Lapsa means «fox» and Zaķis – hare).

According to the official’s declaration, now in the public database of the State Revenue Service, Saeima deputy Dzintars Zakis lived off 75 LVL per month (after taxes) last year. Pietiek.com reports.

Journalist Lato Lapsa claims that deputy Zakis avoided the VAT tax of 8 800 EUR (6 160 LVL) when purchasing his car. The journalist forwarded all the relevant documentation to the CPCB.

According to Lapsa, Zakis knew that it was far more beneficial for him to purchase his car not in person, but through his Datoru centrs Company.

The deputy lend his firm 34 500 LVL, so that it would transfer the money for the car, which, in turn, allowed him personally to avoid paying VAT. However, Datoru centrs was obliged to pay VAT when purchasing the car, which would have been returned after one year. The purchase itself was performed through a Lithuanian firm, which then sold the car to Zakis’ company. This Lithuanian firm was paid 1 000 EUR for this deal.

Afterwards, the deputy signed a contract with his firm for the transfer of the vehicle to him while he carries out the duties of a Saeima deputy, and on April 13, Datoru centrs pawned the car in Zakis’ favor for 27 971 LVL.

Ref: 102.109.109.1329