HEADS OF MATERIAL RESERVES AGENCY DETAINED FOR ABUSE OF OFFICIAL POSITION

Law enforcement authorities detained on Wednesday the deputy director of the Material Reserves Agency of the Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs and the head of the key department on charges of abuse of official position.

According to “INFOTAG” based on information received by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (PA), detained officials are suspected of supporting economic agents to ensure their victory in tenders for the purchase of fuel oil, wheat, sugar, technical equipment, and transport. The scheme has been operating since 2022. Officials abused their powers, acting in their personal interests as well as to the benefit of third parties. At times, they conducted direct negotiations on purchases, causing damage to the state's interests.

For example, in 2022, a more expensive offer was accepted for the purchase of fuel oil. 14.5 thousand tons of fuel oil were purchased for 58.4 million lei, although initially 16 thousand tons were required. The shortage had to be compensated for by attracting additional resources.

In the wheat purchase in 2022, a more expensive offer was approved. And for 33.2 thousand tons of food wheat 11.3 million lei were paid.

Technical parameters were not specified in transactions for the purchase of transport, limiting competition among economic operators. Law enforcement officials claim that damage of 490 thousand lei was caused during the purchase of a car of a certain brand.

In 2023, officials purchased 400 tons of sugar for the needs of the agency for 6.692 million lei without announcing a competition, favoring a private company.