Mourning families scammed: The €10,000 corruption case at Chisinau’s largest cemetery
Chisinau prosecutors have indicted three public officials and a priest for allegedly defrauding over 70 grieving families at the St. Lazarus Cemetery.
The defendants are accused of extorting bribes and artificially inflating funeral service fees, causing total damages of approximately €10,250 (approx. 200,000 MDL).
Systemic exploitation of grief
The Chisinau Municipality Prosecutor's Office revealed that a foreman at the cemetery orchestrated over 70 criminal acts between February and August 2020. He reportedly collaborated with the branch's deputy director to split the illegal proceeds.
The group specifically targeted vulnerable individuals who had recently lost spouses, parents, or other close relatives. In one instance, a woman was forced to pay double the legal rate to bury her father-in-law.
Bribes and inflated tariffs
According to state prosecutors, the illicit payments ranged from €25 to €500 per case. In some instances, legal fees were inflated by as much as €1,025 (20,000 MDL) per victim.
The fourth defendant, a priest, faces charges of influence peddling. He allegedly demanded payments of up to €1,000 (20,000 MDL) by claiming he could influence cemetery management to secure burial plots and reservations.
Legal consequences and asset seizures
Law enforcement has seized the defendants' assets to ensure the recovery of the stolen funds. While three of the accused have fully admitted their guilt, one senior official has refused to provide statements.
If convicted, the officials face up to seven years in prison and fines reaching €20,500 (400,000 MDL). They also risk being barred from holding public office for up to 10 years.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
