Mayor of Zlatitsa accused of misappropriation of BGN 1 million

Sofia City Prosecutor's Office has accused Magdalena Ivanova, Mayor of Zlatitsa (West Bulgaria) for committing a documentary offense under Article 319 of the Criminal Code and for misappropriation in particularly large amounts, the prosecutor's press office said он 11^th of March.

In January 2014, Ivanova made a false declaration about the renovation of the school in the city.

The various stages of the project totaling over BGN 100,000 were financed and implemented under a contract between the municipality and a private company.

Ivanova drew up the official document of untrue content in order to be used in front of the District Governor and thus be paid twice for the repair, the prosecution says.

The prosecutor’s office charged Ivanova with misappropriation of BGN 1,000,000.

The funds were granted as target subsidies for capital expenditures, and Ivanova administered the amount by ordering a payment on the basis of an invoice for repairs.

The investigation started in 2017 and was for malfeasance in office.

Evidence has been gathered on the appropriation of targeted subsidies for capital expenditures under the Growth and Sustainable Development of the Regions Programme and that Magdalena Ivanova had an accomplice - a municipal employee and a company chief. The money was misappropriated with forged invoices in which the value of the construction and assembly works was significantly increased.

If found guilty, Ivanova may be sentenced to up to 20 years of imprisonment and confiscation of property.