The criminal case started against the deputy mayor of Otaci town over passive corruption was sent to court. He faces a fine of 20,000 to 40,000 lei and will be banned from holding posts for a period of up to five years, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the deputy mayor asked for US$100 from the representative of a Balti company for hastening the issuing of the authorization for placing a retail unit at the market in Otaci, Ocnita. He was arrested in his office on April 25, immediately after he took the money. The deputy mayor was banned from leaving the settlement. The case is tried by the Ocnita Court.

Under the Criminal Code, the taking of up to 2,000 lei bribe is punished only with fine, not yet imprisonment.