Former lawyer, investigated by the NAC and AP, sentenced to a fine of 140 000 lei for influence peddling and deprivation of the right to practice as a lawyer for 5 years

The Chisinau Court, Buiucani, found a former lawyer guilty of committing influence peddling. The court ordered a fine of 140 000 lei, with deprivation of the right to practice as a lawyer for a period of 5 years. At the same time, the confiscation of the defendant's account for the benefit of the state of the equivalent of 700 euros, used to commit the crime, was ordered.

The criminal case was initiated in May 2021, and according to the evidence accumulated by the National Anti-Corruption Centre (NAC) and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office (AP), the lawyer, under the pretext of having influence over the prosecutors who were managing a criminal case in which her client was a suspect, allegedly demanded the amount of 1 050 euros from him. In exchange for the money, she allegedly claimed that she could get them to dismiss the respective criminal case. In this regard, the defendant allegedly personally received part of the claimed amount from her client, namely 700 euros.

Although she denied committing the act, the court established her guilt.

The sentence can be appealed to the Chisinau Centre Court of Appeal within 15 days.

Note: A person accused of committing a crime shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final court decision.