Two individuals found out the verdict handed down by the Hîncești Court, Central Headquarters in a criminal case opened by the National Anti-corruption Centre in May 2023, after which other cases in the category of acts of corruption followed. 7 counts of the crime of influence peddling were transferred to justice by the Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office, following the conclusion of the plea agreements.

According to the investigations, the defendants, starting from December 2021 and later from May to September 2023, claimed and received sums of money between 500 and 750 euros from several people. In exchange for money, they claimed that they could influence the employees of the Transport Registration and Driver Qualification Section of the Hâncești Multifunctional Center of the Public Services Agency to facilitate the promotion of the theoretical and practical tests of the qualification exam for obtaining the driver's license.

Therefore, in the month of December 2021 one of the defendants received the first installment of money in the amount of 500 euros out of the total amount of 700 euros, from a person to help her pass the theoretical and practical exam necessary to obtain a driving license for the "B" category, however, given that the promises were not fulfilled, subsequently, between May and June 2023, they claimed and received additional money in the amount of 200 euros and 4000 lei, in order to issue a certificate confirming attending an additional practical training course for the period of 2023, necessary for taking the driver's exams for the theory and practical test, during which the applicant was abroad.

At the same time, it was established that, in May 2023, they received 700 euros from a person to help him pass the theoretical and practical exam, necessary to obtain the driver's license for category "A". Later, by using audio-video devices, they assisted the person during the exam, thus succeeding in obtaining the permit.

In July 2023, the two repeated the scheme, requesting 750 euros from another person to influence the result of the driving test for category "B". Again, they used technical devices to guide the person through the exam, making sure they got their license.

In other cases, they received additional sums to fulfil similar promises, but some promises were not fulfilled and the money was not returned.

The criminal prosecution lasted 10 months, and due to the conclusion of the plea agreements, after the connection of the cases in the court of law, the trial of the case lasted only 4 months.

Following the analysis of the evidence, on August 6, 2024, the court found the defendants guilty of influence peddling, imposing a penalty in the form of fines of 300,000 lei and 400,000 lei, respectively. The seizure of the amount of 10,900 euros was also maintained to guarantee the execution of these fines.

At the same time, the equivalent of 4,000 lei in cash was confiscated, and 200 euros were transferred to the state.

The sentence can be appealed to the Chisinau 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.