Ventsislav Spiridonov, Director of Bulgaria’s Registry Agency has been removed from office through an ordinance of the Justice Ministry coordinated with Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Spiridonov was appointed Director of Bulgaria’s Registry Agency in the summer of 2013 during the term in office of Justice Minister Zinaida Zlatanova.

Elena Markova, who was previously Deputy Director of the Registry Agency, was appointed as Spiridonov’s replacement on March 27, according to the press office of the Justice Ministry, as cited by news portal Tema Daily.

On March 21, inspectors from the Chief Inspectorate at the Council of Ministers wrapped up an inspection at the Agency ordered by Bulgaria’s Prime Minister on February 4.

Bulgaria’s Justice Ministry received the report from the inspection on March 24.

The conclusions stated in the report indicate serious shortcomings in the work of Registry Agency officials, the organization of work at the Business Register unit, the practices regarding the award of public contracts, and the control of their implementation, etc.

The inspectors tasked with the probe recommend a list of organizational measures to remedy the shortcomings, including initiating proceedings entailing liability to disciplinary action against Registry Agency officials and the Director of the Registry Agency Officials Directorate.

The probe, which lasted over a month and a half, was launched on tip-offs for violations such as entries in the Business Register made outside the working hours of Registry Agency officials, a large number of rejected entries cancelled by court as unlawful, violations in the award of public contracts, and unmotivated organization of procedures under the Public Procurement Act involving classified information.