Moldovan oligarch and former government official barred from the US for corruption

On January 13, 2020, the US Department of State designated Vladimir Plahotniuc pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020, rendering Plahotniuc ineligible for a visa to enter the United States.  The designation, which includes Pahotniuc’s wife and two children, are due to Plahotniuc’s alleged involvement in corrupt acts while serving as an official of the Republic of Moldova.  According to the Department of State, Plahotniuc’s conduct undermined the rule of law and compromised the independence of democratic institutions in Moldova.

US Dept of State press statement