Councilor Oleg Cernei to pay damages of 33,000 lei

Chisinau independent councilor Oleg Cernei lost a legal case and is to pay damages of 33,000 lei to Liberal councilman Corneliu Pantea for damaging his honor and professional dignity. He is also to make a public apology in the next meeting of the Chisinau Council, Info-Prim Neo reports. The plaintiff informed about the court's decision in a news conference on March 29. Corneliu Pantea said that he is not interested in the pecuniary side of the decision even if he asked for 1 million lei damages earlier. “I wanted to restore my image that was damaged by Oleg Cernei. He had neither the wit not the courage to deny the assertions made earlier. I expected that Oleg Cernei will realize the mistake he made, but he didn't,” said Corneliu Pantea. He also said that Oleg Cernei did not attend several hearings, arguing that he was sick or was on a trip, but he was seen at the City Hall in that period. “The court's decision is a lesson for Cernei and all those who make groundless accusations,” said Corneliu Pantea. Three months ago, Corneliu Pantea filed a complained against Oleg Cernei after the councilor accused him publicly of taking €7,000 bribe from a Chisinau family of teachers for a plot of land located on Calea Orheiului St. Oleg Cernei could not be found to be asked if he intends to appeal the decision to court.