Moldovan parliament speaker comments on raids at Molddata state enterprise

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has said that the actions carried out by the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) at the state enterprise Molddata represented a decision that falls exclusively within the competence of the criminal investigation body, and that the investigations must be carried through.

“This is the CNA’s decision. If they considered that there are grounds, documents or other evidence that must be seized within the procedure, it is their legitimate decision. They assume responsibility for all investigative actions. Our interest is for them to investigate thoroughly from start to finish and to present all the information,” Igor Grosu said.

The speaker also said that Prime Minister Vasile Tofan had requested, as early as at the first meeting of the new Government, measures regarding the management of the assets of state enterprises under the administration of the Public Property Agency (APP).

“The prime minister, from the very start of yesterday’s meeting, came with instructions on managing the assets of state enterprises that are under the APP’s administration. At the same time, the CNA must continue to do its job,” Grosu said.

At the same time, the leader of the Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) rejected the accusations made by the president of the National Moldovan Party, Dragoș Galbur, according to whom he had known since last year about the situation at Molddata, including about the high salaries of some employees.

“This character is lying. He often brings false information into the public space. I did not know about these salaries. I confess publicly that I did not even imagine this was possible at an institution,” Igor Grosu said.

The parliament speaker specified that he only knew about the need for competitive salaries for certain specialized positions, such as air traffic controllers, due to the level of responsibility and the shortage of staff.

“I could accept such salaries for air traffic controllers, because there was the problem of staff turnover and a high workload. But about the exorbitant salaries in the administrative area – human resources, accounting, drivers and other administrative positions – I did not know about this, I tell you in all sincerity,” Igor Grosu said.

The Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office, together with officers of the National Anticorruption Center (CNA), today is conducting 25 searches as part of a criminal case initiated on the grounds of abuse of office at the state enterprise “MoldATSA”. The actions target employees of the enterprise holding decision-making positions.