The head of a division of the Ministry of Regional Development and Constructions is suspected of abuse of power through acts of corruption aimed at fixing the results of public tender contests. On March 22, officers of the National Anticorruption Center carried out a number of searches, including in the office of the division head, where they seized documents, notes, memory sticks, etc. Contacted by IPN, the Center’s press officer Angela Starinski said the searches at the Regional Development Agency Centru were performed within the same case in which the division head is investigated as a suspect.
“Searches were carried out at a number of addresses to look for proofs for the investigation,” stated Angela Starinski, noting that the acting director of the Regional Development Agency Centru is not investigated in this case.
The National Anticorruption Center said the head of the General Regional Development Division is suspected of influencing inferiors, members of working groups for organizing public tender contests, so that these took decisions in favor of economic operators. The results of a number of tender contests were annulled for groundless reasons and persons close to the suspect were chosen as contest winners.
The division head faces 6 to 10 years behind bars for abuse of power. He will also be banned from holding particular posts or performing particular activities for a period of 10 to 15 years. The suspect was not remanded in custody and will be investigated outside jail because he is hospitalized.
