Searches at MoldATSA in case concerning mismanagement of enterprise; three people detained

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

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, in the period 2024–present, the persons concerned allegedly committed serious infringements in the management of the enterprise, acting contrary to their job duties and in their own interest or in the interest of third parties. The acts under investigation are said to have caused particularly large-scale damage.

Investigators say that they have identified alleged systemic violations in the management of the company’s assets, as well as in its human and financial resources.

The irregularities under investigation include breaches of public procurement procedures, discretionary filling of vacant positions through allegedly rigged competitions, unjustified granting of bonuses and salary increases, improper accumulation of multiple positions, as well as organizing trainings considered unjustified, which are believed to have generated unwarranted expenses from the company’s budget.

As part of the criminal investigation, prosecutors and CNA officers are conducting searches at the homes and workplaces of the persons concerned, in order to collect evidence relevant to the criminal case.

Three people have been placed in the detention facility of the National Anticorruption Center for 72 hours.

The new searches carried out by National Anticorruption Center officers at MoldATSA were also commented on by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu. He said that the criminal prosecution actions fell within the competence of the investigative bodies and represented a decision assumed by the CNA.

“I am not aware every time. Such things are not coordinated with me. It is the CNA’s decision. If they considered that there are further grounds, documents or other items that can be seized in this procedure, it is their legitimate decision. They assume responsibility for all investigative actions,” Grosu noted.

In late last June, the National Anticorruption Center and the Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office carried out more criminal prosecution actions at the company’s headquarters, in a case regarding alleged abuses of office. The case was followed by resignations. Among those who left their positions, there were the director of the state enterprise, MoldATSA, Dumitru Vangheli, the head of the Public Property Agency, Roman Cojuhari, as well as the institution’s spokesperson, Anastasia Taburceanu. In addition, an MP of the Action and Solidarity Party, Radu Marian, announced his resignation as head of the parliamentary commission for economy, budget and finance, after information appeared in the public space that he had recommended Dumitru Vangheli for the position of MoldATSA director.