Two Ministry of Culture Officials Implicated in Embezzlement Scheme
Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov has announced that two individuals within the ministry have been identified as being involved in a scheme to siphon off money from the budget. This revelation came to light during financial audits conducted in theaters across the country.
Minister Todorov stated that the involvement of Ministry of Culture officials was crucial to the scheme's success. He elaborated that the scheme went beyond simply diverting funds for salaries, and involved intricate strategies utilizing companies that received hundreds of thousands of leva. Despite this knowledge, Minister Todorov expressed frustration at his inability to dismiss the two officials due to a lack of legal grounds. He did, however, confirm that one of the individuals is currently on leave.
Minister Todorov further emphasized the need to restore the Ministry of Culture's control functions, which have been neglected for an extended period. He also stressed the importance of accountability, stating that anyone who was aware of the scheme but remained silent is complicit in the wrongdoing.