The National Integrity Authority (NIA) determined that the mayor of Hânceşti Alexandru Botnari violated the legal regime of conflicts of interests by signing a lease with his son. The mayor said this is absurd.

The NIA said that in January 2018, the mayor signed a lease for a lot intended to be used as a reaction area in the municipality of Hâncești with his son as a result of an auction. The contract was signed for a 25-year-period and his son was to pay an annual rent equal to 10% of the lot’s initial price of 79,400 lei.

“The mayor allowed a conflict of interests by violating Law No. 133 on the declaring of the property and personal interests as he didn’t inform the NIA in written form within three days and didn’t solve the conflict he faced,” the authority said in a press release.

Contacted by IPN, mayor Alexandru Botnari said this situation is absurd. He signed a contract with an association of lawyers and is waiting for the court decision. “I have never kept to the post. I devoted myself to the town, the people. This is simply a ridiculous situation. We didn’t sell something cheap and didn’t cause damage to the budget. On the country, money to the budget comes from a lot where nothing has been done during almost three years,” he stated, adding that the decision was taken by the local council, not by him, but he made a mistake when he authenticated the lease at the notary.

The mayor risks losing his post and being banned from holding a public post for as three-year period.