Moldova’s National Anti-Corruption Center (NAC) has officially confirmed that a criminal case has been opened on suspicion of abuse of office following the submission of a formal complaint.
Whether President Maia Sandu’s cousin, Anastasia Taburchanu, could ultimately face criminal charges remains an open question. From a legal standpoint, some commentators argue that the return of any salary she may have received would not, by itself, exempt her from liability if a crime were established. Even if the repayment were intended to compensate for losses allegedly suffered by the state enterprise, critics note that such reimbursement does not automatically eliminate criminal responsibility.
According to these claims, MoldATSA, where Taburchanu allegedly held a position, paid not only her salary but also the associated income taxes and social insurance contributions. Those contributions could potentially affect her future pension entitlements, meaning that, according to critics, the enterprise may still have suffered financial losses even if the salary itself was later repaid.
Based on this reasoning, opponents argue that returning the money would not necessarily erase any alleged damage to the company or any benefits obtained through the employment arrangement.
The controversy has also taken on a political dimension. Critics speculate about whether President Maia Sandu will distance herself from her cousin amid growing public scrutiny. According to media reports, both Taburchanu and the former manager who allegedly hired her have already left the country, while responsibility, if any, may ultimately fall on lower-level employees such as accountants, human resources staff, and middle managers rather than senior officials.
