Apartmentgate

A joint investigation by ACF and Radio Free Europe revealed that several influential politicians and high-level public officials had acquired luxury properties at prices significantly below market rates. In addition, the transactions were highly unusual compared to standard business practices.

The investigation generated high levels of public interest and lead to multiple resignations  – of the Minister of Justice, Tzetzka Tzacheva, the Deputy Minister of Sport, Vania Koleva, the Deputy Minister of Energy, Krasimir Parvanov, and Tzvetan Tzvetanov, who left the post Chairman of the parliamentary group of the ruling party GERB in March, and in May left all executive-level positions within the party itself.

Following the investigation, a number of media outlets used the Bulgarian Property Register (the main method employed by ACF and Radio Free Europe) to carry out property checks regarding other public officials. A new wave of resignations followed while the ethical and legal issues raised by Apartmentgate were discussed within the European Parliament elections campaign in May.

ACF filed reports with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) and the Public Prosecution (subsequently the prosecution asked the Commission for Counteracting Corruption and the Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Property(CCCFIAP) to initiate proceedings). CCCFIAP had the task of investigating its own chairman, Plamen Georgiev. CCCFIAP ended the proceedings on 19 June, deciding no wrongdoing had occurred. Mr. Georgiev resigned at the end of July but was appointed Consul General in Valencia, Spain. ACF calls on all involved public institutions will act in a responsible and impartial manner.