A former chief inspector of the National Unit receives a community service sentence of 120 hours and pays back more than 11,000 euros as part of a transaction with the Public Prosecution Service. The now 50-year-old policeman was arrested in February 2022 on suspicion of violating official secrets, official corruption, and participation in a criminal organization. He had already been suspended from duty in May 2021.
The investigation into the chief inspector began in March 2021 after it became apparent from other criminal investigations that there was an indirect connection between the chief inspector and members of a criminal organization involved in international drug trafficking and money laundering. At that time, the policeman held a strategic position at the National Unit. He had access to sensitive investigative information that was often shared with him verbally. This made the investigation by the National Criminal Investigation Service complex.
Long-term Investigation
In the long-term investigation, it could not be established that the suspect was part of a criminal organization. In one case, the Public Prosecution Service concluded based on the investigation that the suspect shared sensitive investigative information with an acquaintance. That information was presumably shared by that acquaintance with the criminal organization.
The investigation also indicated that the suspect was guilty of money laundering. This involves thousands of euros that were withdrawn from the accounting of a garage company and that the suspect spent on personal purposes. It also emerged that the suspect had filed false tax returns for several years. In those returns, he did not report the private use of a car from the same garage company. These facts are separate from the suspicion of sharing confidential information.
Transaction
In the transaction with the National Office of the Public Prosecution Service, it was agreed that he would repay 11,598.94 euros as illicit gain from money laundering and tax evasion. The suspect also relinquishes an amount of €4,200.00 that was seized from him. Additionally, he accepts a community service sentence of 120 hours. The suspect will shortly leave the police with a settlement agreement and will not return to the police. For this reason, it was decided to resolve the criminal case now with a transaction.