The NAC Synthesis: Large-scale operations regarding embezzlement of millions from national and European funds, illicit dispossession of public lands and seizures applied to criminal assets of over 5 million lei in corruption cases

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) has presented the synthesis of the actions carried out last week in the areas of combating corruption and recovering criminal assets. Dozens of searches took place in several city halls across the country in a case of embezzlement of funds intended for the construction of water and sewage networks in eight districts, financed through the National Program "European Village". Fraudulent acceptance of works is being investigated, including pouring a thinner layer of asphalt than that provided for in the project. Company representatives allegedly offered bribes to some mayors and employees of the National Inspectorate for Technical Supervision to sign the final documents.

The searches were carried out at the Iargara Forestry Enterprise, in a case regarding fictitious employment for afforestation works financed by the program managed by the Ministry of Environment. The estimated damage is about 4 million lei.

Over 50 searches were carried out in Chisinau and its suburbs in a case regarding the land expropriation of the local public administration in Durleşti. Civil servants, cadastral engineers and beneficiaries of the schemes are targeted. The damage exceeds 15 million lei. In the previous week, the NAC initiated 14 new criminal cases, and 11 were sent to court.

The Criminal Assets Recovery Agency (CARA) seized 22 assets, worth about 5.3 million lei, in cases of influence peddling, active corruption, human trafficking, fraud and money laundering. Previous seizures of over one million lei were confirmed, and 500 thousand lei were taken over for administration.

In the field of corruption prevention: 19 expert reports and 2 opinions on draft normative acts were submitted, 3 operational analyses were completed and training was organized for 530 officials. The National Anti-corruption Line received 39 calls, and the office received 1,653 materials.