Moldovan President Maia Sandu on July 1 called for a comprehensive audit of state-owned enterprises following a series of corruption allegations involving politically connected appointments, inflated salaries and irregular recruitment practices that have raised questions over the governing Party of Action and Solidarity's (PAS) anti-corruption credentials, a statement from the presidency said. 

"In the short term, there is a need for control of all enterprises, to verify how money is used. And here I am referring especially to payroll and public procurement," Sandu said at a press conference. She added that while some management positions require competitive salaries, "performance must not mean abuses."

The scandal centres on MoldATSA, the state-owned air navigation services provider. Investigations by Ziarul de Gardă alleged that former director Dumitru Vangheli included false information in the CV submitted for the 2025 recruitment process, including claims that he had worked as a pilot for Air Canada. Vangheli was suspended during an internal investigation and later dismissed.

The controversy widened after Rise Moldova reported that Sandu's cousin, Anastasia Taburceanu, received more than MDL1mn (€50,000) in less than a year after being hired without an open competition as MoldATSA's communications officer. According to the investigation, her monthly remuneration increased from more than MDL75,000 in the second half of 2025 to over MDL120,000 in 2026 compared to a base salary of only MDL25,000. After resigning, she pledged to return the bonuses and salary supplements she had received.

Sandu distanced herself from the appointment, saying she had neither recommended nor been informed about it.

"I have nothing to do with the hiring, I did not recommend it, I was not informed, nor consulted," she said. "In my opinion, it is immoral to take undeserved money and it must be returned."

She also acknowledged her personal disappointment over the case. "I cannot understand what happened in Anastasia's case. I do not recognise her, I cannot explain these things to myself. But in every family there is a person who gives you a headache," Sandu said.

PAS leader and Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu announced that Taburceanu had been expelled from the party. He also said three other members would lose their party membership, while the government would dismiss Metalferos general director Petru Bondari.

The scandal also prompted the resignation of PAS lawmaker Radu Marian as chairman of Parliament's Economy, Budget and Finance Committee. Marian admitted he had "made a mistake" by recommending Vangheli, with whom he had grown up in the same apartment block in Chișinău.