The NAC synthesis: Systemic corruption cases in Căușeni, Șoldănești and Rezina and seizures of around 20 million lei applied by the CARA
The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) presents the main actions carried out the previous week in the fields of combating corruption, preventing corruption and criminal assets recovery. During the reporting period, the NAC officers carried out searches in systemic corruption cases, initiated on acts of passive, active corruption and influence peddling in the localities of Căușeni, Șoldănești and Rezina. The investigations target two distinct networks and a total of 38 suspects, including employees of the Public Services Agency (ASP), civil servants, administrators and driving instructors. According to the investigation, the suspects in Causeni allegedly demanded and received bribes of between 350 and 400 euros from candidates to guarantee their passing of the practical test of the driving exam.
In parallel, in the files from Soldanesti and Rezina, eight other people are accused of having received illicit remuneration to influence specialized commissions for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining driving licenses, medical certificates for weapons, illegal weapons registrations and even for the early release of a detainee from Penitentiary No. 18 in Brănești. At the same time, criminal investigation officers announce the initiation of 21 new criminal cases and the referral of 10 files to trial. The CNA specifies that, currently, one person is in solitary confinement, and 12 other defendants, detained in files managed by the Center, are placed in preventive detention in penitentiary institutions.
The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) under the NAC seized assets worth approximately 20 million lei and issued freezing orders for 6 real estate assets. Other previously seized assets worth approximately 9 million lei were confirmed, and 2.1 million lei were taken over for administration in order to be deposited in the treasury accounts of the NAC.
In terms of corruption prevention, the NAC submitted 23 expert reports on draft normative acts to the authors. Also, 2 operational analyses were completed, 124 integrity records were issued, and approximately 600 officials participated in 11 anti-corruption trainings. The National Anti-corruption Line received 40 calls, and 1,885 materials were registered in the institution’s office.