Ex Sofia Heating Utility Boss' Trial Postponed for March

Valentin Dimitrov aka Toploto (The Warm), former Head of Sofia's heating utility "Toplofikatsiya, has been tried for money laundering, embezzlement, money draining and tax evasion. Photo by BGNES

The Sofia City Court postponed Tuesday the trial against Valentin Dimitrov aka Toploto (The Warm), former Head of Sofia's heating utility "Toplofikatsiya."

The motive was the defense attorney and one of the jurors failure to appear in the courtroom. The trial was rescheduled for March 16.

The prosecutor requested to dismiss the case against Dimitrov's mother because she passed away in January, but the defendant demanded the decision is made in the presence of his attorney.

In this case, Toploto is tried for money laundering in the amount of BGN 10 M. His mother was a co-defendant, but died at the age of 86 from a heart condition.

On December 14, 2010, Dimitrov, received a 3-year sentence, instead of 10 years on embezzlement charges.

Dimitrov still protested the verdict, stating that he is innocent and media coverage was biased.

According to the Court's rule, Valentin Dimitrov, together with 4 managers caused losses "Toplofikatsiya" during the period of 2003-2006 by purchasing luxury goods and spending company money on holidays.

Dimitrov, however, was found not guilty on two other charges, involving signing documents which have allegedly caused damage to the heating utility.

Toploto was arrested after the heating utility had to file for bankruptcy in 2005. In addition to the lavish purchases, it was discovered he has wired over EUR 1.5 M to an Austrian bank. Huge amounts were also found in his mother's accounts and in safe deposit boxes.

In 2009 Dimitrov was sentenced to 14 years behind bars on another charge – money draining from the heating utility. He is appealing the sentence.

In May 2008, Toploto was also sentenced to five years in jail, for tax evasion in the amount of BGN 10 M during the time he was the manager of another company.

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