The criminal case that involves the former president of the Academy of Sciences Gheorghe Duca and his wife Maria Duca, former rector of the Academy’s University, was remitted to court. The two are accused of abuse of power and misuse of authority by which they caused damage of almost 1 million lei to the state, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, legal action was taken following a notification made by an employee of the Academy and based on the results of a thematic financial inspection. The couple illegally set for them higher salaries for the performed administration and research activities and unjustified bonuses, being often on business trips and recovery leave. But these weren’t indicated in the accounting records.

While the investigation was being conducted, the two were banned from leaving the country. No preventive measure is imposed on them now. The prosecutor sequestrated their home and a civil lawsuit was filed to recover damages.

If the court finds the two guilty, they will be fined 32,500 lei to 57,500 lei or will be jailed for up to three years. In both of the cases, they will be banned from holding posts for a period of two to five years.

Gheorghe Duca resigned at the end of last November, invoking health reasons. He said the decision also coincided with the trial in which he was involved. Gheorghe Duca voiced hope that if he is no longer a public figure, justice will be made to him and the attitude to him will be objective and impartial. He also said he does not consider himself to blame and he employed no appropriation schemes. Gheorghe Duca had held the post of president of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova since 2004.