Director of the Risan Home for the Elderly "Grabovac" Srđan Dragomanović He used a company vehicle in violation of regulations and traveled almost 4.000 kilometers in just over three months, which the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption assessed as behavior that jeopardizes the public interest, "Vijesti" learned.
The Agency recently informed the Government of Montenegro about Dragomanović's behavior, emphasizing that neither this official, nor the institution he heads, have informed them whether they have complied with the recommendations.
"Vijesti" sources claim that the institution was ordered to, during the drafting of its Rulebook on the conditions and manner of use of official vehicles, ensure that it is aligned with the current Regulation on the conditions and manner of use of means of transport owned by Montenegro.
The same sources state that the initiative was submitted to the Agency in early 2023, but that the institution only responded to it in September of this year. They also claim that the Agency was warned in the initiative that the director "constantly uses an official vehicle."
They point out, however, that the Agency began proceedings in April 2023, requesting a statement from Dragomanović regarding the use of the official "vehicle", license plate number KO CG162, as well as travel orders and documents of that institution.
"Director Srđan Dragomanović submitted a statement on the allegations in the application. The statement states that, regardless of the fact that the Regulation on the conditions and manner of use of official vehicles of the Public Institution 'Grabovac' Home for the Elderly gives him the right to permanent use of the vehicle, that he traveled 3.933 kilometers in a 'Škoda' vehicle with registration marks KO CG162 in the period from 1. 1. 2023 to 11. 4. 2023 and that every kilometer was traveled for the purpose of performing work tasks, and that this is also supported by the travel orders submitted in the statement," the document states, which was provided to "Vijesti" by sources.
Dragomanović also submitted to the Agency the Rulebook on the conditions and manner of using official vehicles dated February 24, 2011.
"By analyzing the submitted documentation, as well as the applicable legal regulations governing this area - the Regulation on the conditions and manner of using means of transport owned by Montenegro, the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption has determined that the Public Institution 'Grabovac' Home for the Elderly Risan did not submit a decision granting the director of the institution a 'Škoda' vehicle for permanent use...", states the opinion of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption.
The Agency also determined that the rules of the Nursing Home were not in line with other state acts.
The Agency reminds that the Regulation exhaustively determines who has the right to permanent use of vehicles.
"Namely, Article 11 of the Regulation provides that the right to permanent use of an official vehicle with or without a driver is granted to the President of Montenegro, the President and Vice-Presidents of the Parliament, the Prime Minister and members of the Government, the President of the Constitutional Court, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, the President of the Supreme Court, the Supreme State Prosecutor, the Special Prosecutor for the Fight against Organized Crime... Therefore, upon reviewing the Regulation on the Conditions and Manner of Using Official Vehicles of the Public Institution 'Grabovac' Home for the Elderly, Risan, it was determined that it is not in accordance with the Regulation, as an act of greater legal force," the opinion emphasized.
It is emphasized that the Agency has determined that there is a threat to the public interest, which indicates the existence of corruption.
The Agency reminded that, according to the legal definition, integrity represents the lawful, independent, impartial, responsible and transparent performance of duties by which public officials and other employees protect their own reputation and that of government bodies, ensure the trust of citizens in the performance of public functions and remove suspicion of the possibility of the emergence and development of corruption.
"...While endangering the public interest implies a violation of regulations, ethical rules or the possibility of such a violation that has caused, is causing or threatens to cause a danger to the life, health and safety of people and the environment, a violation of human rights or material and immaterial damage to the state or a legal or natural person, as well as an action aimed at concealing such a violation," it states.
Therefore, they recommended that the institution respect and be guided by positive legal regulations in the future, as well as to take into account the actions taken in the coming period in order to avoid irregularities.
They were obliged to submit a report on the actions taken in relation to the aforementioned recommendation, within 30 days of receiving the Agency's opinion.
Since this did not happen, the Agency recently informed the Government of Montenegro about this.
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