Public money embezzlement scheme at the Raisa Pacalo Centre of Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy: 9 suspects, including 4 detained by the NAC and PCCOCS

The National Anti-corruption Centre (NAC) and prosecutors from the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) have announce the conduct of 45 searches in a case targeting a public money embezzlement scheme by decision-makers and employees of the Raisa Pacalo Centre of Excellence in Medicine and Pharmacy. Four people, including the institution's director, chief accountant, a human resources specialist and a department head, were detained for 72 hours, a total of 9 people with suspect status in the aforementioned case.

According to the accumulated evidence, the decision-makers within the Centre of Excellence are being investigated for organizing and implementing a scheme to embezzle funds held by the institution, by fictitiously employing individuals in various positions who do not actually show up for work and do not perform their duties. Also, as a result of the special investigative measures carried out on the case, evidence was revealed regarding the collection of money from students, rigging public procurement and favouring certain economic agents, as well as the use of the institution's resources in the interests of third parties, such as renting out the institution's premises and equipment for the manufacture of teeth and dentures.

This morning, the NAC officers, under the procedural leadership of the PCCOCS, carried out 45 searches in the offices, homes and cars of the persons involved, seizing bank cards, objects and documents important to the criminal case and financial means, the origin of which is yet to be established. The 4 detained persons and 5 suspects are to be escorted to the NAC for questioning.

We remind that any person shall be presumed innocent until a final and irrevocable court decision is rendered.