The distribution of salary components, various aid packages, and incentives over the past two years to certain employees of the state-owned entity Regional Water Supply Montenegrin Coast is currently being investigated by the prosecutor’s office.

Multiple sources have verified to “Vijesti” that inspectors from the Crime Prevention Sector and the Department for Combating Corruption, Economic Crime, and Financial Investigations have requested extensive documentation from the company’s new management twice within the last month. This includes details about the monetary aid and salary variables as well as any bonuses disbursed to employees in 2023 and 2024. This action was initiated upon the directive of the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Kotor.

While the prosecution is examining the legitimacy of claims regarding potential misuse of official authority by former director Borislav Ivanković, a faction of employees persistently questions the appointment and qualifications of the new head of the company, Krsto Radović.

There are allegations that a specific group of employees received bonuses, various types of assistance, and overtime payments during 2023 and 2024, often accompanied by dubious justifications. The documents obtained by the prosecution reportedly indicate that bonuses were pre-approved for certain managers and advisors. This raises suspicions since it implies that someone was aware back in September that they would achieve “extraordinary results and benefits for the Company” come November, which is illegal.

Inspectors have reportedly confiscated detailed records that indicate that several employees, frequently with identical names, received variable monthly salaries ranging from 10 to 20 percent.

In particular instances, and in various other cases, there are no explanations provided for the benefits granted to the company.

Bonuses for exceptional efforts and outcomes should only be awarded for measurable accomplishments that have already been achieved, rather than for anticipated efforts.

Additionally, the variable pay is reportedly linked to tasks already outlined in employees’ job descriptions, signifying that certain individuals received additional compensation for fulfilling their fundamental job responsibilities.

Documentation allegedly substantiates claims that salary augmentations were also disbursed during employees’ paid days off and vacations.

Various working groups and committees were established within the state-owned company, with members receiving compensation; this would not be an issue if these were not roles defined within job descriptions. Consequently, it is claimed that some employees received fees for composing reports, compiling, and organizing documentation, etc.

The rationale behind the disbursement of financial assistance to employees is also under scrutiny, as it is reportedly unclear what criteria were used to determine the amounts. The Regional Water Supply Company lacks an internal policy on this, granting the director the unchecked authority to “select” the amounts stipulated in the Collective Agreement.

The Special State Prosecutor’s Office has charged the former director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, Jelena Perović, with illegally benefiting herself and her associates through decisions to pay elevated salaries based on overtime and variable salary components…

Recently, the Regional Waterworks Company released a statement accusing the former director and a group of employees of systematically undermining the organization for personal gain. They issued this remark following several articles discussing the legality of Radović’s appointment as director, asserting that the hiring process and Radović’s qualifications were entirely above board.

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