Lithuanian tax chief sacked amid violations

Lithuanian Finance Minister Vilius Sapoka decided on Friday to sack the chief of the country's State Tax Inspectorate (STI).

Sapoka said he decided to sack STI chief Dainoras Bradauskas following the probe on possible violations and taking into account the importance of tax chief's position.

The minister says that the probe has confirmed suspicions that Bradauskas had "violated his service, legal, ethic and moral norms".

According to the finance ministry, Bradauskas had been systemically meeting vice-president of MG Baltic, discussing details of tax avoidance schemes and tax investigations on some companies including MG Baltic and its shareholders.

Sapoka also accused Bradauskas of using "criminal slang" in conversations with business groups.

"Protectionism, privileges and exceptions based on informal relations cannot be tolerated in public service," Sapoka commented on his decision in an announcement from the finance ministry.

Bradauskas told local media he disagrees with the accusations and plans to "defend his honor and dignity in the court".

The chief of STI claims he "had never acted in favor of any business or political group".

"I didn't leak any information. I didn't hand over any documents," Bradauskas told a press conference on Friday afternoon.

Two weeks ago, the Lithuanian finance ministry set up a commission and launched the probe on Bradauskas after receiving information from the country's Special Investigation Service.

Bradauskas had been working as the chief of STI since early 2015. Endit