Signing of ordinance to pay 50 mln lei to Termocom by Mayor of Chisinau will be investigated

The prosecution bodies will investigate the signing of the ordinance to pay 50 mln lei to Termocom by the Chisinau Mayor General. At Monday’s meeting of the City Hall, Dorin Chirtoaca said that he received a letter from the Chisinau Prosecutor’s Office informing him about this. Though not aware if criminal proceedings will be initiated, the mayor said: “There is a great joy for all of us - the criminal prosecution’s epopee has just commenced.” Earlier this month, the Chisinau Municipal Council (CMC) approved the payment of 50 mln lei to settle part of the debt to Termocom SA. The money was paid to the heat supplier by an ordinance signed by Chirtoaca in mid-August. The mayor signed the ordinance under pressure from Termocom, which said that it will sue the City Hall if it does not clear the debt of 151 mln lei accumulated after the former CMC at the star of this year decided to cover the difference in the old and increased heating charges from the local budget. This money was to be used for preparation of the heating system for winter and to pay Termocom’s debts to its suppliers. Chirtoaca said then that such a measure was necessary; otherwise the municipality of Chisinau could have lost 15 mln lei if Termocom won the process. There were persons that considered the mayor’s act illegal, but many municipal councillors supported the decision, saying that an illegality can be considered the former CMC’s decision to cover the charges without planning such resources in the local budget. Although the money was accepted, during a programme on the television channel NIT last weekend, Termocom administrator Dionisie Antocel said that the mayor’s ordinance was illegal because it was not approved by the CMC at that moment. He also said that if the City Hall does not settle the entire debt by October 15, Termocom and the City Hall “will meet in court” on October 17.