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Moldovan Oligarch Plahotniuc Sentenced 19 Years for $1B Fraud

4/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Buiucani District Court in Chisinau sentenced Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison for the 2014 $1 billion bank fraud, the first conviction of a Moldovan oligarch.
Prosecutors had sought a maximum sentence of 25 years and $60 million in damages.
Lawyer Lucian Rogac called the verdict unlawful and announced an appeal.
The United States and United Kingdom have placed Plahotniuc on sanctions lists and frozen his assets.

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Story summary

The Buiucani District Court in Chisinau sentenced Vladimir Plahotniuc to 19 years in prison for the 2014 $1 billion bank fraud, the first conviction of a Moldovan oligarch.
Prosecutors had sought a maximum sentence of 25 years and $60 million in damages.
Lawyer Lucian Rogac called the verdict unlawful and announced an appeal.
The United States and United Kingdom have placed Plahotniuc on sanctions lists and frozen his assets.