A mayor from Anenii Noi district has been criminally convicted for two counts of abuse of office and ordered to pay more than 800,000 lei. The sentence was handed down by the Causeni Court, Bender branch, IPN reports.

According to the Anenii Noi Prosecutor’s Office, in the first case, the mayor ordered the demolition of a private warehouse in 2019, selling the construction materials at a low price and later using part of the proceeds. In the second case, he misled the Local Council and unlawfully transferred real estate property belonging to a legal entity, causing damages of 821,000 lei.

For one of the offenses, the court sentenced him to five years in prison, with the execution of the sentence suspended and a three-year probation period. Additionally, he was banned from holding public office for five years, and the illegally obtained funds were confiscated in favor of the state.

In the second case, the court found him guilty but released him from criminal liability due to the statute of limitations.

The Causeni Court ruling specifies that the convicted official is Victor Gori, mayor of Botnărești commune. He does not admit guilt and claims that he did not exceed his official powers. Previously, he stated that his decisions were made in the interest of the community.

When contacted by IPN, Victor Gori said that the sentence is not final, and he will provide further comments later.