The NAC synthesis: 3 individuals arrested in the MOLDATSA case, damages of over 14.5 million lei from external funds, seizures of assets and cryptocurrencies exceeding 4.6 million lei
The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) presents the main actions carried out last week in combating and preventing corruption, as well as in the criminal assets recovery. During the reporting period, anti-corruption officers executed over 55 searches in several localities across the country as part of two criminal cases involving abuse of office and influence peddling.
Accordingly, the NAC is investigating systemic abuses at the State Enterprise "MOLDATSA", where searches targeting decision-makers uncovered non-compliant procurement, rigged tenders, and unjustified salary payments. Consequently, the Chișinău Court (Ciocana seat) ordered preventive measures against three officials holding managerial positions at S.E. "MOLDATSA": two defendants were placed under pre-trial detention for 30 days, while the third was placed under house arrest for the same period.
Also last week, criminal investigation actions aimed to uncover a scheme for rigging public tenders in the water supply and sewerage infrastructure sector—achieved through the discretionary drafting of terms of reference to favor pre-selected economic operators, causing an estimated damage of over 14.5 million lei (MDL 14,544,504.11) to external funds and the national budget. At the same time, a man from Chișinău was searched for allegedly promising a driver to get him off the hook in a criminal case for drunk driving in exchange for 6,000 euros; however, he was reported to the NAC.
The Chișinău Court (Buiucani seat) convicted two former employees of the Principal State Tax Inspectorate (IFPS) for trading in influence regarding judges from the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). They received fines of 125,000 lei each and were prohibited from holding public offices for 3 years.
During the reference period, criminal investigation officers reported the initiation of 10 new criminal cases and submitted 4 cases for resolution. Currently, seven individuals are held in the NAC detention centre, while twelve other persons accused in cases managed by the NAC are placed under pre-trial detention in penitentiaries.
The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) seized assets worth over 3.3 million lei and took over 104 000 lei into administration. Other previously applied seizures, valued at over 2.4 million lei, were confirmed by the courts. Furthermore, freezing orders were issued for 6 cryptocurrencies with a total value of over 1.3 million lei.
In the area of corruption prevention, the NAC submitted 25 expert reports and 3 opinions on draft normative acts to the authors. Additionally, 107 integrity records were issued, 3 operational analyses and 1 strategic analysis were conducted, and 260 people participated in anti-corruption training sessions. The National Anti-corruption Line received 95 calls, and 1,472 documents were registered in the institution's Chancellery office.