Former MP Veaceslav Platon, who was sentenced to 30 years in jail in two criminal cases, said the general bank fraud scheme was designed by current MP Ilan Shor and Sergei Yaralov, the ‘confidence man’ of the former Democratic leader Vladimir Plahotniuc. According to him, Sergiu Albot, who served as president of the Administration Board of Banca Sociala and vice president of Unibank, was responsible for bank equipment, accounts and transfers, IPN reports.
In an interview for TV8 channel’s talk show “Politics of Natalia Morari” given by the former MP in jail, the businessman said Yaralov always represented Vladimir Plahotniuc. “Sergei Iaralov is a manager and has always been a manager. He was paid a solid salary of US$50,000 by Vladimir Plahotniuc and he also got bonuses for particular things. “I presume the technical part was coordinated by Albot,” stated Veaceslav Platon.
He also said the legislative amendments that were needed for the Government to provide state guarantees to the National Bank were ensured by former Parliament Speaker Andrian Candu. “He was to ensure the whole legislative basis,” he noted.
According to the businessman, the bank fraud started with the purchase by Ilan Shor of shares in Banca de Economii. After he gained control of this bank, he started to steal. He proposed buying the almost 40% of the shares in Banca de Economii that Platon and his partners owned in this bank. The ex-MP refused at first, but yielded after coordinated pressure started to be exerted on him. Veaceslav Platon bought a part of the shares from Vladimir Plahotniuc and then returned these to him. Later, the Democratic leader sold these shares to Ilan Shor.
Veaceslav Platon was arrested in July 2016 on charges of swindle and money laundering in very large amounts that caused damage of over 800 million lei to Banca de Economii (Savings Bank). He got 30 years behind cumulatively. Veaceslav Platon pleads not guilty.
