Corruption scheme for issuing driving licenses in Balti: the NAC detained six people and collected tens of thousands of euros, lei and dollars following searches

Six people were detained in Bălți as a result of the criminal prosecution actions carried out by the officers of the GTD North of the NAC and the prosecutors from the Municipal Prosecutor's Office and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, Northern Office, in the framework of several cases opened on acts of active and passive corruption and influence peddling. A main inspector of the Office of Registration and Qualification of Car Drivers (SÎTCCA) in the municipality of Balti, 3 driving instructors and two intermediaries who are suspected of organizing a corruption scheme when issuing driving licenses.

According to the investigation data, the suspects would have acted jointly to arrange the passing of practical and theoretical exams for candidates to obtain driving licenses. In exchange for sums of money, which varied between 450 euros and 1000 euros per case, the candidates received the qualification "admitted" to the tests organized by the Office of Registration and Qualification of Car Drivers in the municipality of Balti. The evidence administered by the NAC and prosecutors have shown the systemic nature of the acts of corruption committed by the suspects.

During the searches carried out at the SÎTCCA offices of Balti municipality, as well as in the cars and residences of the suspects, more than 71 thousand euros, 357 thousand lei, about 2000 dollars, mobile phones and draft documents were found and seized.

It should be specified that the criminal investigation was started on July 18, 2023 on the fact of passive corruption, and on the current November 24, 7 other criminal cases were started on passive, active corruption and influence peddling.

Previously, the NAC’s GTD North officers and prosecutors documented corruption schemes when issuing driving licenses at the Edineț, Glodeni, Bălţi and Chişinău branches. Several people, including officials of the Public Services Agency (PSA), were detained for implementing a system of illegal collection of financial means from candidates for obtaining a driving license, the amounts claimed for a license varying between 400 and 1200 euro.