Investigators Summon Tbilisi Mayor for Questioning

Finance Ministry’s investigations service has summoned Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugulava for a questioning into the case of alleged misspending of GEL 5.2 million by the capital city’s municipality.

Ugulava has been asked to arrive at Finance Ministry’s investigations service at 1pm on Saturday.

Ugulava said late on Friday that he would not arrive at the investigations service, citing tight schedule. Ugulava, however, also added that he would answer to investigators questions if they arrive at his office in the Tbilisi City Hall later on Saturday.

Finance Ministry’s investigations service and prosecutor’s office have accused Tbilisi Mayor’s Office of misspending GEL 5.24 million of public funds by creating hundreds of fictitious job positions in a municipal service through which funds were channeled to pay salaries of UNM party activists. Ugulava dismissed the allegations as “completely politically motivated.”

The investigations service said that probe was still ongoing and no charges had yet been filed against anyone.

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