The NAC Synthesis: systemic corruption in the forestry sector, convictions and seizures of over 3 million lei applied by the CARA

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 the criminal assets recovery. During the reporting period, the head of the Ocnița Environmental Protection Inspectorate and two senior inspectors were detained in several cases of passive corruption. They are suspected of having systematically accepted and received illicit financial means from transporters, firewood traders and foresters responsible for certain sectors of the forest fund. In exchange for the money, the officials allegedly protected illegal deforestation activities in the region, avoiding their documentation and sanctioning.

Last week, the Chisinau Court, Buiucani headquarters, pronounced several convictions in cases investigated by the NAC, targeting abuse of office, embezzlement, fraud and illegal financing of political parties. A former bailiff and two accomplices were convicted of rigged auctions, with the main defendant receiving 4 years in prison, of which 2 years were to be served, and a ban on holding public office for 5 years. In a case of abuse of office and embezzlement, one defendant was sentenced to 14 years in prison, another was released from prison due to the statute of limitations, and a third was hospitalized in a psychiatric institution. Also, a courier involved in the illegal financing of a political party was sentenced to 4 years in prison and deprived of the right to be active in political parties for 4 years. In another case, a former official of the Chisinau City Hall received 7 years in prison for fraud, and his accomplice – 8 years, both of whom were deprived of the right to work in the field of public procurement for 5 years.

At the same time, criminal investigation officers reported the initiation of 21 new criminal cases and the completion of criminal investigations with a proposal to send to trial for another 13 cases. Currently, 2 individuals are in the NAC detention centre, and 14 other defendants are placed in preventive detention in penitentiary institutions.

The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) seized 10 assets worth about 3.2 million lei and took over 2.1 million lei under administration. At the same time, 1.4 million lei were deposited in the treasury accounts of the NAC.

In terms of corruption prevention, the NAC submitted 26 expert reports and 10 opinions on draft normative acts to the authors. Also, 151 integrity records were issued, and over 360 officials participated in anti-corruption training. The National Anti-corruption Line received 55 calls, and 1919 materials were registered in the institution's Chancellery.