In the remote and picturesque Georgian municipality of Lentekhi, nestled in the mountains, a construction project has become the center of controversy. The site, located along the road leading to popular local springs known for their healing properties, has drawn public ire due to its mysterious nature. There are no visible signs detailing the project’s purpose, contractor, or timeline, and safety norms appear to be routinely flouted. The project has raised questions about governance, transparency, and ethics, especially as evidence points to its ties with the town’s mayor, Gia Oniani.

Construction in Lentekhi is an unusual sight, with new development projects few and far between. This made the unmarked building site all the more conspicuous. Residents initially complained about the lack of fencing and safety measures, which spilled onto the sidewalks. Adding to the intrigue, workers at the site openly claimed the property belonged to Mayor Oniani.

However, the ownership trail leads to the mayor’s wife, Kristina Revishvili. Public records show that the construction project is managed by Business Monitoring and Security Service LLC, a company fully owned by Revishvili since 2023. This raises eyebrows as Mayor Oniani himself was a majority stakeholder in the company until just months before assuming office in 2021. Despite transferring his shares to his wife, reporters uncovered evidence suggesting he remains actively involved in the company’s operations.

While public officials in Georgia are legally barred from engaging in business activities while holding office, loopholes in the system allow them to sidestep these restrictions. On paper, Mayor Oniani has no formal ties to the company, yet undercover investigations by reporters from iFact, a Georgian investigative outlet,........

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