Today, a so-called “Prosecutor’s Citation” (Cita cu Fiscal) took place in the case named Mero, in which the suspect M.E. de Meza and his wife had to account for tax offenses committed during the period from 2009 to 2019.
The investigation against these two suspects began after the DIMP (Tax Department) filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for failing to file tax returns completely, correctly, and on time during the aforementioned years. The irregularities came to light during an integrity investigation as part of the screening process for ministerial candidates in early 2025.
The screening of ministerial candidates was established by law in 2021 and includes, among other things, an evaluation by the Tax Inspector regarding tax compliance in previous years, including whether there are outstanding debts or other irregularities.
The suspicion of a crime in an open investigation means that a person’s nomination as a minister cannot proceed. This had major consequences for Mr. De Meza, who had put himself forward as a candidate for a ministerial post in the current cabinet.
Today, the Public Prosecutor’s Office offered Mr. De Meza the opportunity to pay a sum of Afl. 5,000 to avoid criminal prosecution. The same offer was made to his wife. Both suspects have 1 month to comply with the payment condition. If they do not accept what the Public Prosecutor’s Office offers them, the criminal case—as always happens when a suspect fails to comply with an imposed condition—will be taken to court.