The National Integrity Agency (ANI) is providing new clarification after Clotilde Armand accused the agency of denying her access to the file and suggested it was politically motivated.

ANI clarifies that the state of incompatibility, as well as the presence of a conflict of interest, does not apply to the increase to 25%, which, according to the law, benefits mayors who implement projects with European funds, without the obligation that they have the quality of a manager in these projects.

“In contrast to this increase of 25%, the assessed person increased his monthly monetary remuneration to 30% as a result of the appointment of the project manager, a fact that caused the occurrence of incidents of integrity in administrative cases preserved on the basis of the provisions of art.. 76 par. (1) and Art. 87, par. (1), lit. k) from Law No. 161/2003, and taking into account the materials of the Agency’s case, confirmed over time by the competent authorities, namely:

• Conflict of interest: according to Art. 76 par. (1), “mayors and vice-mayors, the mayor-general and vice-mayors of Bucharest are obliged not to issue an administrative act or to conclude a legal act or not to issue regulations, during the performance of their functions, which cause material benefit for themselves, for their spouse or relatives of the first degree”.
• Incompatibility: according to Art. 87, par. (1), lit. k) “The position of mayor and vice-mayor, mayor-general and vice-mayor of the municipality of Bucharest, president and vice-president of the district council is incompatible with the performance of the following functions or qualities: k) any other public function or paid activity in the country or abroad , with the exception of a teaching post or posts in associations, foundations or other non-governmental organizations,” ANI said in a press release.

In relation to Arman’s allegations that he did not have access to the file, the National Integrity Agency states that he was informed by the case officer on 22 July 2022 of the commencement of the assessment activity, having been informed of the above rights in relation to the consultation file throughout the assessment activity. Later, on August 4, 2022, a power of attorney was registered in the case along with a request to send mailing addresses to the law firm, ANI reported.

According to the cited source, on September 20, 2022, the integrity inspector informed the assessed person again about the elements discovered at that time and asked for his opinion on situations of incompatibility and administrative conflict of interest. On October 10, 2022, the assessee sent a point of view regarding the integrity inspector’s conclusions to the Agency’s e-mail address through an elected representative.

“We clarify that throughout the assessment activity, the assessee did not request access to the file or his presence at ANI headquarters, all communications with him were as per the above schedule,” ANI said in a press release.

The National Integrity Agency accuses Clotilde Armand of a conflict of interest and incompatibility after the mayor of sector 1 identified himself as a project manager for European funds.

Clotilde Armand says she followed the law and will file a criminal complaint against the ANI representative who allegedly denied her access to the file.

The PSD is demanding his resignation, and the prefect of the capital, Tony Greble, has announced that he will challenge the provisions in an administrative dispute after being officially notified by the National Integrity Agency.