The NAC Synthesis: new corruption schemes uncovered, enhanced international cooperation with Italy and seized assets of 3 million lei
The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) outlines its key operations from the previous week across corruption combat, prevention, international cooperation, and criminal assets recovery.
On the anti-corruption front, the NAC criminal investigation officers intervened in two separate cases. A major operation targeted more than 20 bribery incidents related to fraudulent vehicle registrations. According to case records, several Public Services Agency (ASP) employees, including the head of the Tiraspol Vehicle Registration Department, in complicity with an officer from the Hîrbovăț Customs Post and other customs officials, allegedly ran an illegal scheme facilitating the issuance of documentation required for neutral-design license plates. These plates were granted to vehicles that failed to meet legal requirements. The Chișinău Court, Ciocana branch, remanded both the customs officer and the ASP official into 30-day pre-trial detention.
The second corruption case involves decision-makers at "InTehAgro," who allegedly demanded and received bribes ranging between 3,000 and 20,000 lei to provide illicit advantages to various applicants and beneficiaries. The scheme included issuing category "H" machinery operating licenses, registering agricultural and construction machinery and certifying technical inspection reports. In total, five individuals are targeted, alongside affiliates of driving schools based in Chișinău.
The Chișinău Court, Buiucani branch, sentenced the former president and former vice president of the Criuleni District Council. The former received 9 years' imprisonment, a 450,000 lei fine, and an 11-year ban from holding public office, the latter was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment, a 400,000 lei fine, and a 10-year ban from holding public office. Concurrently, investigative officers initiated five new criminal proceedings and forwarded six completed cases to court. Currently, seven defendants across the NAC-managed cases are held in pre-trial detention facilities.
In terms of international cooperation, the NAC and the Italian Guardia di Finanza signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on combating economic and financial crime. In parallel, the NAC director met with representatives of the European Commission, the EU Delegation, and the UNDP Moldova to discuss strengthening institutional and operational capacities.
The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) seized assets exceeding 3 million lei in a money laundering investigation, which included two residential properties and three motor vehicles. Additionally, the CARA placed 2 million lei under asset management.
Regarding prevention, the NAC submitted 17 anti-corruption assessment reports on draft legislative acts, issued 163 integrity certificates, conducted 3 operational assessments, and trained more than 500 individuals across the public and private sectors.
The National Anti-corruption Helpline recorded 59 calls, and 1648 incoming documents were registered by the agency’s central registry.