RIGA, Latvia (AP) — The head of Latvia's central bank, who is also on the board of the European Central Bank, will face prosecution for bribery.

The Latvian prosecutor's decision moves ahead the scandal surrounding Ilmars Rimsevics, who has been a suspect since February of taking bribes. The Associated Press has reported one banker's tale of being asked repeatedly by Rimsevics for bribes and money laundering from Russia.

Rimsevics denies all wrongdoing.

Because Rimesvics is on the ECB's top policymaking board, the case has gained international significance. The ECB had asked the European Court of Justice to rule on whether Rimsevics should be allowed to continue in his job while not charged with a crime.

Latvian prosecutors on Thursday also charged another individual, left unnamed, with supporting the bribe-taking.