Moldova detains former examiner in driving license graft probe
Moldovan anticorruption prosecutors and officers detained a former Public Services Agency driving examiner on Friday in a bribery investigation involving fraudulent category B driver’s licenses.
The detention comes one day after investigators arrested a driving instructor in Chișinău tied to the same scheme. Suspects allegedly demanded up to €1,700 (approx. 34,200 MDL) from candidates to secure passing scores on theoretical and practical driving tests.
Wiretap reveals automated passing promises
According to the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office, the suspects claimed to hold influence over staff within the Public Services Agency’s Driving License Examination Department. They allegedly collected recurring illicit payments to guarantee fraudulent certifications.
Audio recordings released by prosecutors show one suspect instructing a candidate to take the exam without stress.
“Go without worry, everything is fine. It does not matter what appears there—‘rejected’ or ‘admitted.’ I need... we enter the database, here each will have a personalized code. I just need this code and that is it! Tomorrow or the day after, we schedule the practical test. For the practical exam, it will already say ‘admitted,’” the suspect said.
Anticorruption prosecutors and officers from the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) conducted fresh searches at the former examiner’s home on Friday. Authorities remanded the suspect into CNA custody for 72 hours as the investigation continues to uncover all accomplices.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
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