Chisinau school and kindergarten directors targeted in corruption case
Problematic public procurement practices have been identified in educational institutions in Chisinau. On Thursday, November 6, anti-corruption officers and prosecutors conducted searches at multiple kindergartens and schools as part of a criminal investigation into corruption and abuse of office. Nine individuals are currently under investigation, including the director of the General Directorate of Education, Youth, and Sports (DGETS), two school principals, a kindergarten manager, and several business representatives.
According to the National Anticorruption Center (CNA), education officials are suspected of collaborating with various economic agents to manipulate public tenders. They allegedly claimed and received commissions ranging from 10% to 15% of the contract values awarded for various works and services in schools and kindergartens in Chisinau.
To circumvent legal procurement procedures, officials are believed to have artificially divided the works into several small-value contracts, which were then concluded through direct negotiations with preferred companies, as stated by investigators.
Currently, criminal investigations are being conducted at the homes and offices of the individuals targeted, as well as at the headquarters of the involved economic agents. Authorities have seized documents, electronic media, accounting records, and sums of money, the origins of which are to be verified.
The CNA and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office are continuing their investigations to establish all the circumstances and identify the complete criminal network.
