The NAC Synthesis: Searches in high-profile cases, 44 new criminal cases and seizures of over 3.3 million lei
The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) has presented the main actions carried out in the previous week in the field of combating and preventing corruption, as well as of criminal assets recovery. During the reporting period, the NAC officers investigated cases of influence peddling, abuse of office, passive corruption and active corruption, carrying out multiple criminal investigation actions.
As part of a joint operation, the NAC and APO carried out over 20 searches in a case regarding the reacquiring of Romanian citizenship. A person who was operating under the cover of a company, whose object of activity was preparing documents for citizens of the Republic of Moldova who wish to regain Romanian citizenship, in common with other persons, allegedly claimed to have influence over employees of the Civil Registry Office in the municipality of Cahul and those of the Consulate General of Romania in the municipality of Cahul. The administrator of the company and an employee of the Consulate General of Romania in the municipality of Cahul are targeted.
During the second operation, the NAC conducted searches at the headquarters of the Căușeni City Hall, including the office of the mayor and some employees of the institution, but also at the headquarters and offices of some economic agents targeted in the investigation. The mayor of Căușeni was detained by the NAC for a bribe of 89 000 lei allegedly for the award of a works contract.
During the week, anti-corruption officers initiated 44 new criminal cases, and 18 files were sent to prosecutors with a proposal to refer them to court. Six people were placed in the detention centre during the reference week, and another 19 defendants are in pre-trial detention in penitentiaries across the country.
The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) seized 16 assets, worth over 3.3 million lei, in cases involving human trafficking, fraud, organizing illegal migration, and intentional insolvency.
In the field of corruption prevention, the NAC submitted 25 expert reports and 5 opinions on draft normative acts to the authors. Also, 2 operational analyses were completed, 148 integrity records were issued, and 635 people participated in anti-corruption training. The National Anti-corruption Line received 55 calls, and 1833 materials were registered in the NAC Chancellery.