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The disciplinary case deals with suspected violations in a public procurement tender. "Several instances have been established in the correctional institutions system that suggest violations of the Public Procurement Law and the State Administration Structure Law," said Adamsone, explaining that the minister has moved against Pukite to determine the reasons behind this.

More specifically, the minister suspects that Pukite has not, for a lengthy period of time, eliminated problems regarding public procurement tenders and other areas, which raises the question of suitability for the job.

Now that the government has approved a concept of modernization of Latvian prisons' infrastructure and allocated budget funding for the construction of a new prison in Olaine, every effort must be made to ensure that this funding be spent according to the plan. The investigation ordered by Bordans is to examine Pukite's actions and whether they may have created hurdles for implementation of the project.

Prison Administration Deputy Chief Sergejs Cepjolkins has been appointed acting head of the administration pending investigation.

This is not the first time Pukite comes under fire for possible financial and accounting violations. After a disciplinary case in 2011, his salary was reduced for six months.