Moldovan prosecutors file criminal charges against two gas providers

Chisinau, 26 November /MOLDPRES/-Prosecutor Vitalie Busuioc today said following the searches made at MoldovaGaz and ChisinauGaz gas providers, prosecutors had decided to start two criminal cases against these companies for money laundering in extremely large proportions, malfeasance in office and illegal entrepreneurial activity.

According to representatives of the General Prosecution, MoldovaGaz and ChisinauGaz signed an illegal contract with an economic agent supposedly buying gas at a discount price, listing expenditures as losses and passing them off to be paid by household consumers.

“The respective decision makers implemented a scheme allowing certain economic agents and companies to purchase quantities of natural gas without accounting them. Subsequently, the economic agents clandestinely delivered the natural gas to natural and legal persons, and listed it as loss suffered by the gas supply system, including it in the bills of the consumers,” Vitalie Busuioc said.   

Prosecutors say the economic agent which headquarters is currently being searched, has been making illicit deliveries of natural gas amounting to 31 million lei over the last four years.

Magistrates are also suspicious about the price MoldovaGaz paid to purchase various parts and mechanisms for the distribution of natural gas, which actually cost three times less.

The General Prosecution this morning searched the offices and homes of the directors and other important officials of ChisinauGaz and MoldovaGaz companies. Searches were also carried out at the headquarters of an economic agent, as well as at the houses of some natural persons. Individuals accused in this criminal file could face up to ten years in prison.

(Reporter A. Plitoc, Editor M. Jantovan)