The head of Călărași district, a division head of the District Council and the mayor of Călărași town were arrested on corruption charges. They are suspected of rigging public procurement procedures and of other abuses, IPN reports.

According to the National Anticorruption Center, in 2022 the suspects created a scheme to favor business entities in exchange for goods, advantages and money. To sign public procurement contracts and to accept works, the functionaries allegedly collected a commission of 10-15% of the value of these contracts.

At least ten cases of public procurement rigging were identified during investigations. Acts of corruption committed by other public servants, including of the Ministry of Finance, are investigated as part of the same criminal cases. The servants are suspected of taking bribe for not reporting the violations identified during a financial audit at the mayor’s office.

An inquiry into abuse of office was initially opened. Later, there were started and merged 21 criminal cases over active corruption, passive corruption and abuse of office.

Large sums of money were seized during 29 searches conducted on Tuesday morning at offices, homes and in cars of suspects.