ATTEMPT TO BRIBE EMPLOYEE OF LITHUANIAN COMPETITION COUNCIL RESULTED IN CUSTODIAL SENTENCE

Vilnius County Court acknowledged D. J. guilty of an attempt to bribe an employee of the Lithuanian Competition Council and sentenced him to a suspended sentence of two years in prison, as well as imposed a fine of EUR 7,532.

The pre-trial investigation was opened on 15 July 2015 as a result of a close cooperation between the Special Investigation Service of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Competition Council. Chief Expert of Anti-Competitive Agreements Investigation Division informed the law enforcement authority about a bribe of EUR 14,500 which was offered to him in exchange for a favorable decision in a suspected bid rigging case. The Special Investigation Service carried the pre-trial investigation in close cooperation with the Council.

The Court decision is subject to appeal.

Žagarės inžinerija and Rovaltra did not manage to escape liability. On 5 December 2016  the Council found that the firms submitted joint bids in the procurement organised by UAB Fontas LT. The fines imposed on firms amounted to EUR 33,400 and EUR 70,400 respectively. Vilnius Regional Administrative Court upheld the Council’s decision and rejected the complaints by the firms.