NMA says it reported deputy’s suspected conflicts in July

Lithuania’s National Paying Agency said Friday that it had reported suspected conflicts of interest involving its deputy director Tomas Orlickas in July, LRT reports.

The agency said it suspected Orlickas may have confused public and private interests while carrying out international projects. It said the information was forwarded to the Chief Official Ethics Commission and the Special Investigation Service on July 16.

The agency said it was cooperating fully with the Financial Crime Investigation Service, which is conducting the investigation, and was providing all requested information. It declined to comment further to avoid harming the pre-trial investigation, adding that law enforcement authorities would decide whether anyone should be held responsible.

The National Paying Agency said its functions were continuing. It added that its director, Fortunatas Dirginčius, had not been charged, had been granted procedural witness status and had not been suspended from his duties.

According to BNS, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating possible corruption at the agency. A court has suspended Orlickas, who is suspected in the case, and imposed pre-trial measures. Several other agency employees have also been charged.

The Financial Crime Investigation Service carried out searches at the agency for the second time this week on Thursday, including in Dirginčius’s office.

Agriculture Minister Kęstutis Mažeika said Thursday that agency employees, including managers, would be suspended if law enforcement brought charges against them. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius expressed the same position, saying that people involved in investigations would be suspended.

The Financial Crime Investigation Service has so far said only that the pre-trial investigation concerns suspected abuse aimed at granting unlawful advantages to people participating in European Union-funded projects.