VARAM State Secretary Suspended — Proved That Information Technologies Really Are Smart

Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Raimonds Čudars has suspended State Secretary Balševics from office, and this time it's not because someone forgot to pay for the internet. Turns out, Balševics is involved in the illegal disclosure of classified information from IT procurement. As one regular Rose Square visitor says: "We share information here every day about which concert is next, but we never disclose it illegally!"

Minister Čudars announced with special pride that "within the framework of the investigation, it's important to ensure that all persons involved in violations are held accountable." So everyone who thought that working in IT means you can do whatever you want — you were wrong. Even Riga has now understood that computers aren't just expensive typewriters.

KNAB is investigating a case of disclosure of classified information involving not only Balševics, but also a VDAA official and an entrepreneur. Meanwhile, the European Prosecutor's Office has initiated criminal proceedings for possible fraud worth 1.5 million euros in state IT procurements. For that kind of money, you could buy all of Liepāja's IT infrastructure and still have enough left over for a coffee machine.

Police have detained 21 people, including state officials. As one IT specialist from Liepāja comments: "We also work with classified information here — for example, when the next city website update will be ready. But we don't disclose it!" Balševics now has a month to think about whether it was really worth sharing classified procurement information, because in case of unjustified suspension, he'll be paid his salary for the entire period.