Former Mayor Arrested in Georgia Over Hotel Permit Issued to Wife’s Company

Authorities in Georgia arrested former Lentekhi mayor Gia Oniani and two municipal officials for allegedly abusing office by issuing a hotel construction permit to a company owned by Oniani’s wife without required procedures or safety measures; investigations by iFact and OCCRP detailed conflicts of interest, lack of site fencing and informational signage, and the involvement of relatives, resulting in abuse-of-office charges carrying up to three years in prison.