Chisinau City Hall official fired due to alleged abuse of authority

Mariana Ambros, head of the Department of economy, reforms and real estate affairs of the Chisinau City Hall, was sacked on Monday, December 20. According to Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca, she tried to get an apartment through abuse of power, Info-Prim Neo reports. The apartment belongs to the City Hall and is uninhabited. According to Mariana Ambros, there are many other similar dwellings in Chisinau. She wanted to move there with her mother, sister and niece. Moreover, she was ready to pay for the difference between the space she was granted for being an official with scientific degree and the total area of the apartment. “Unfortunately, there is no special queue for office holders with scientific titles. I have been hired as mayor’s advisor after finishing my post-university studies. According to the Housing Code, holders of scientific degrees have the right to a dwelling”, said Mariana Ambros. However, Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca thinks this is an example of how officials try to get their hands on public property. He claims there are many other persons with scientific titles that wait in line for obtaining a place to stay, without abusing of power. “You have disgraced yourself. Thousands of people with various scientific degrees wait for an apartment, but, unlike you, none of them is the head of the real estate department. None of them knows how and when dwelling becomes available. This how City workers obtain public property. It’s a clear abuse of power”, the mayor said. However, Mariana Ambros told the press she would not go to court, but would ask the mayor for one day to prepare the activity report of her department. Mariana Ambros is a Doctor of Economy. She has been mayor’s councilor between May 2008 and January 2010, when she was put in charge of the Department of economy, reforms and real estate affairs. Ambros is also a member of Chirtoaca’s Liberal Party.