site.bta Karlovo Mayor Emil Kabaivanov Charged with Deliberate Negligence

Karlovo Mayor Emil Kabaivanov Charged with Deliberate Negligence

Sofia, August 17 (BTA) - After being summoned four times,
Karlovo (Central Bulgaria) Mayor Emil Kabaivanov was charged
with deliberate negligence on Monday, the prosecuting magistracy
 said.

Kabaivanov is charged with deliberately failing to perform his
duties between April, 2013 and April, 2014, under a contract for
 building and modernizing the town's sewer system. The contract
dates back three years and was signed between the Environment
Ministry and Karlovo Municipality.

According to the prosecuting magistracy, the damages caused are
close to 23,000 leva, which is money that was paid to three
persons close to Kabaivanov, for work they never did. The
situation with five other persons seems to be similar and is
currently being investigated.

Kabaivanov did not appear with a lawyer, as he was counting on
not being charged. His bail is set at 5,000 leva.

The prosecuting magistracy claims that all who were questioned
admitted to receiving money without merit - something which
Kabaivanov was aware of. Some of the witnesses recanted,
explaining that initially they gave false statements under
pressure from the municipal leadership. They said that fake
documents were issued to prove that the people in question
visited their workplace, which is not true.

The investigation lasted 15 months. According to an expert
statement, there are no medical reasons to prevent  Kabaivanov
from standing trial. The Mayor claimed he was ill and stayed at
a health care establishment three times the usual period, while
the results of his medical exams are normal, which is rare given
 the condition he claims to suffer from.
 
Speaking to Nova TV before entering the Plovdiv District
Prosecution Office on Monday, Kabaivanov said that he will most
likely be arrested after a series of groundless operations were
conducted against him. According to him, the investigation is
connected to the upcoming local elections and its goal is to
remove him.
 
"Two months before the October 25 local elections, the election
campaign started in Karlovo, and likely in other places as well.
 It started in a dishonest, undemocratic and unlawful way,"
Kabaivanov said in a statement for the media on Friday.