The former mayor of a settlement of Taraclia district was put on probation for a four-year period for abuse of power, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, in December 2008, the culprit, who was then mayor, leased out a pond located on the territory of two districts to a private company free of charge. The pond was under state ownership and was only managed by the local public authorities. Thus, by his acts the former mayor caused damage assessed at over 151,000 lei to the state budget.

Besides being put on probation, the former mayor was also banned from holding particular public posts for a two-year period and was ordered to pay 151,000 lei damages to the state. The sentence can be appealed to a higher court.

For similar irregularities, another ex-mayor of a village of Taraclia district in March was put on probation for a five-year period and was fined 140,000 lei.