Former Moldovan MP Alexandr Trubca has been reported to prosecutors over allegations that he received 200,000 euros from a businessman, according to an investigation published by Ziarul de Gardă.
The report alleges that Trubca was expected to help introduce VAT on scrap metal and later support changes to the taxation system for companies collecting metal waste. The proposed changes would have replaced the 12% income tax paid by individuals selling scrap metal with a 7% tax on companies’ sales.
The complaint was filed with the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS) by Alexandru Rotaru, a former business partner of Valentin Eșanu at Omnisteel. The company had previously announced plans to build a metallurgical plant in Moldova, but the project was never completed.
According to the complaint, Eșanu allegedly bribed Trubca. Rotaru claimed that the legislative changes could have served as a way to “clean up” the accounts of Sofilarex Plus SRL, a company headed by Eșanu, which allegedly failed to declare significant amounts collected through the 12% tax imposed on individuals.
Trubca denied the allegations, saying he was hearing about them for the first time. He acknowledged discussing changes to the taxation system and preparing an analytical note for his political party, but said the proposed changes were aimed at addressing widespread tax evasion in the scrap metal sector.
“This is the first time I am hearing about this. What do I have to do with legislation in general? The only thing I had on this issue was a discussion. We prepared an analytical note at the party and discussed the issue of taxation,” Trubca said.
He explained that the authorities had considered replacing the 12% tax with a 7% tax on companies’ turnover because of tax evasion concerns. According to Trubca, the measure was eventually cancelled because too many licensed companies were not actually operating in the sector.
Valentin Esanu also denied the allegations. He claimed that Rotaru filed the complaint as an act of retaliation after Esanu dismissed him as administrator of Omnisteel SRL.
The full investigation is available from Ziarul de Gardă.