A new big case of obtaining diplomas and other driving licenses with black money is behind the recent decision to remove the directors and all the executives of the General Directorate of Transport of the Attica Region. Following an order from the regional governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalia, it was decided to “dismiss” all 50 employees of the General Directorate. As Realnews reports, of these 50 employees, 39 are already under investigation for forming and participating in a criminal organization with the aim of raising illegal money, through various irregular facilities provided for diplomas, licenses, professional driving certificates, but also for the issuance of license plates.
By ALEXANDRO KONTI – SOURCE: Realnews
The investigation into the case began after anonymous complaints received by the National Transparency Authority a few months ago about wrongdoing and illegal practices by certain employees. As the investigation showed, within the public service areas, specific people were installed who acted as “handlers” of citizens’ requests. These individuals were in complete agreement with high-ranking and experienced officials of the Attica Region and accepted various amounts of money from the citizens in cash, in order to speed up their requests.
They had… offices!
The illegal amounts of money varied each time. Meanwhile, the list of “services” they offered reportedly ranged from falsifying driver’s license results to expediting applications for license plates on commercial vehicles. In fact, the “handlers” seem to have even occupied… offices within the General Directorate of Transport, which proves that they were in complete agreement with the employees.
The information states that of the 39 who are allegedly involved in one way or another in the criminal organization, seven are directors of the General Directorate of Transport, 20 are department heads and the remaining 12 are ordinary employees. The investigation is still ongoing, while to date, a total of 26 of the 39 audited employees have already been referred to Justice for the establishment of a criminal organization. In addition, other natural persons who participated in the ring are being investigated for the same case.
It is not the first time that complaints about illegal profits from the issuance of diplomas and driving licenses touch employees of the Attica Region. Just a year and a half ago, at the end of 2022, it was revealed that 13 other employees of the Transport Directorate of the Southern Attica Sector participated in a criminal organization for the issuance of fake driving licenses. From March to November 2022, these officials had illegally issued more than 340 diplomas to prospective drivers. In that case, in fact, nine other people were also involved, who were owners of driving schools.
Similar cases, however, have been recorded in the past in Transport Directorates in the Peloponnese Region as well as in the Central Macedonia Region. After all, it is no secret that obtaining a license or other driving certificates in Greece is one of the most common cases where cases of corruption occur, with illegal transactions, “kickbacks” and “kickbacks” being almost a prerequisite for the issuance of the relevant permits.
The recent decision of N. Hardalia to remove all employees of the General Directorate of Transport, whether involved or not in the recent case, aims to end this illegal practice. Colleagues of the regional governor of Attica report that with the changes of persons in administrative services, the “systems” that may have been set up by the long-term stay of executives in specific positions are automatically dissolved. Thus, the information states that the General Directorate of Transport will now be staffed by new employees, with high qualifications, proven impeccable performance and exemplary behavior towards citizens.
New technology
However, in the changes that are underway, an attempt is made to limit to a minimum or even completely eliminate the need for personal contact between employees and citizens. This will be achieved through the use of new technologies. The goal is to create Smart Rooms with the use of artificial intelligence, which will control in real time the progress of citizens’ requests. In the next period, the home delivery of diplomas, licenses and plates will become mandatory at the district’s expense. At the same time, from June, a series of procedures will be completed exclusively digitally, such as the granting of copies of driver’s and traffic licenses, as well as the lifting of suspensions, while the renewals of driver’s licenses, including medical examinations, will follow.
Read the Realnews article here
