The NAC Synthesis: Searches conducted in influence-peddling cases, record confiscation of assets for the benefit of the state, and over 16.6 million lei seized
The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) presents the main actions carried out during the previous week in the fields of combating and preventing corruption, as well as in the recovery of criminal assets. Thus, the NAC officers carried out searches in three influence-peddling cases, two of which target fraud in the process of obtaining driver's licenses by influencing employees of the Public Services Agency (PSA). The third case targets acts of corruption related to the monthly extortion of money from the social assistance allowance of a single mother raising three children.
Specifically, a driving instructor in Chișinău allegedly claimed and received 900 euros to influence Chișinău PSA examiners to favor the passing of the practical test and the issuance of the driver's license. In another case, a man from Cahul was detained after allegedly demanding 3,500 euros to ensure, through alleged influence over the Cahul Driver Qualification and Examination Section (SÎTCCA) commission, the passing of the theoretical and practical tests with the subsequent obtaining of the driver's license. In the third case, a social worker from Chișinău was searched on Friday, and the NAC officers seized relevant evidence for the complete documentation of the criminal activity. She allegedly claimed and received 2,000 lei monthly from the social assistance allowance due to a mother raising three children—one of whom has disabilities—claiming she could influence the commission to maintain the payments.
During the reference period, criminal investigation officers reported the initiation of 8 new criminal cases and proposed 7 files for transfer to the court. Currently, six defendants in cases managed by the NAC are placed in preventive detention in penitentiaries.
Last week marked a premiere in the recovery of criminal assets. Eight immovable properties, estimated at over 9.6 million lei, were definitively confiscated for the benefit of the state from an official convicted of abuse of office. The NAC criminal investigation, led by the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office, and the financial investigations of the Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) played an essential role in identifying the assets and the ultimate beneficial owner of the property. At the same time, the CARA applied seizures on cash amounting to over 16.6 million lei in a money laundering case, and 224 000 lei were taken over into the Agency's management.
In the field of corruption prevention, the NAC submitted 15 expertise reports and 7 opinions on draft normative acts to their authors. Also, 129 integrity records were issued, and 3 operational expertises were carried out. Over 110 people from the public and private sectors were trained by the officers of the Anti-corruption Education Directorate (AED).
The National Anti-corruption Hotline received 41 calls, and 1,580 materials were registered in the institution's registry office.