Lawyer caught red-handed by the NAC and prosecutors with a 10 000-euro bribe: he promised to influence the decision in a criminal case for tax evasion

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and the prosecutors of the municipality of Chisinau have announced the detention of a lawyer, caught red-handed while receiving 10 000 euros from the representative of a business entity. The detention took place in his office as part of a criminal case opened for influence peddling.

According to preliminary data from the investigation, the lawyer allegedly demanded money in exchange for the promise to intervene with the employees of public institutions that are handling a criminal case for tax evasion in which the business entity is targeted. The lawyer allegedly hinted that he could influence the favourable resolution of the case, promising that the criminal case would not be forwarded to court, that the assets of the company and its administrator would not be seized, and that all assets previously seized during the searches, including mobile phones, money and means of transport, would be returned.

We would like to point out that the amount of 10 000 euros was remitted under the control of the NAC, and prior to the detention, the lawyer allegedly received another tranche of 15 000 euros from the same representative of the economic agent, for the same purpose.

The lawyer was detained for 72 hours and is in the custody of the National Anti-corruption Centre. All actions on the aforementioned case are taking place under the procedural leadership of the Chisinau Municipal Prosecutor's Office, and investigations continue in order to identify all the persons involved.

We remind that every person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is rendered.