David Lapornik, the second-in-command at the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK), who is directly involved in investigations against Prime Minister Robert Golob, negotiated a new position with the government in the middle of an active investigation of its leader. Before his term at the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption expired, Golob’s government “quietly” appointed him as district prosecutor in Ljubljana. The case is controversial not only because of the timing and obvious conflict of interest, but also because it raises questions about the Commission’s relevance and independence.
If a high-ranking official of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption, who is supposed to protect the integrity of the authorities, can simultaneously join the service of those he is investigating, then the Commission is “only useful when someone needs to be discredited with the help of socio-political workers temporarily employed in the mainstream media,” commented Miro Haček.
David Lapornik is involved in at least two open proceedings against the current Prime Minister, Robert Golob, within the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and, during the investigation, secretly negotiated with the government about moving to a new position, specifically the position of district prosecutor in Ljubljana. The government’s decision on his appointment was adopted on the 24th of July, the day after the personnel committee meeting, as reported by the Požareport web portal. It should also be noted that the matter is, in fact, much more serious than what has been reported in the article (entitled “Early departure of another KPK member – what does this mean for the Golob investigation”) by the Info360 portal, as it is almost like an atomic bomb dropped on the Slovenian domestic political scene.
Let us recall that Lapornik is a member of the commission senate of the KPK, which is conducting proceedings against Prime Minister Robert Golob on allegations of alleged unlawful pressure on former Interior Minister Tatjana Bobnar and other employees of the Interior Ministry. Additionally, this is not the only case that Lapornik is “investigating.”
He is also involved in the investigation into the “Karigador affair.” After the disclosure of Golob’s free vacations, alleged personnel deals, and suspected exploitation of the third-largest hospital in the country, the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption confirmed the allegations in a preliminary investigation in May and launched an investigation against the Prime Minister.
This kind of practice raises questions about conflicts of interest, political influence on supervisory institutions, and even suspected corruption within the Commission in question. Legal experts warn that if a high-ranking official of an anti-corruption body investigating those in power negotiates career advancement with those same people during the investigation, this seriously erodes the independence of the institutions. The Commission has not yet commented on the allegations.
However, the Commission has already confirmed that Lapornik is leaving the KPK early. His term would not have expired until October 2026, but it is not yet officially known when he will start his new job. In response to questions about his departure, representatives of the Commission emphasise that his departure “will in no way affect the proceedings they are conducting.” Lapornik’s departure is not just a personnel change – it is a symptom of systemic decay under Golob’s government.
Sara Kovač
