Moldova’s National Integrity Authority (ANI) is reportedly accusing the former canoeist of being head of the NOSC during his time as a member of the country’s Parliament and illegally obtaining more than MDL60,000 (£2,700/$3,500/€3,000).

It is understood Members of Parliament in Moldova are not allowed to serve in any other position that holds public functions.

If he is found guilty, the 56-year-old Juravschi will be banned from holding positions in any Moldovan public organisations - including NOSC - or serving as an MP for the next three years.

The eight-time world champion could also be entered into the official register of people who are banned from public functions.

The NOSC announced that Juravschi has already appealed against ANI's findings in the Administrative Contentious Court on the grounds of them being "unfounded" and "illegal".

"The Act has been issued through erroneous interpretation of the law and with serious procedural infringements," said Cristina Vasilianov, secretary general of the NOSC. 

"Moreover, this act can be qualified as tendentious, taking into consideration that tens of other Parliamentarians and dignitary persons hold simultaneously the office in various non-governmental organisations."

According to a report by Pro TV Chișinău, the 56-year-old strongly denies the accusations and is threatening to sue the ANI.

"We will apply in court, and the court will expose itself," said Juravschi.

Juravschi has been NOSC President since 2000 after being re-elected on several occasions.

He also served as an MP for eight years after being elected as a member of the Liberal Democrat Party in November 2011.

During that time, he defected three times with each party in power when he joined.

Pro TV Chișinău also quoted a statement by ANI which accused Juravschi of receiving income while head of NOSC.

"Although, he was not remunerated for his position within [NOSC], during his tenure as deputy, however, he exercised his powers as leader which were confirmed by the 19 acts he signed during 2011-2018, thus ensuring the functionality of the institution," the statement read.

"After the termination of the deputy mandate, the former Parliamentarian concluded an individual employment contract with [NOSC] and obtained income in the form of salary in the total amount of over MDL50,000 (£2,200/$2,900/€2,500) for March and April 2019.

"Likewise, during January 2013 to April 2014 and for 2015, the former deputy benefited from a special allowance granted to athletes for life, in the total amount of about MDL15,500 (£686/$905/€765)."

The NOSC claim Juravschi "was not remunerated for his position within NOSC during his tenure" as an MP. 

It is not the first time accusations have been levelled against Juravshi who won two gold medals at Seoul 1988 in the C-2 500 and 1,000 metres and a silver at Atlanta 1996 in the C-2 500m. 

Last year, a group of athletes and coaches accused NOSC and Juravschi of corruption, including an alleged €1 million (£900,000/$1.1 million) fraud connected to the sale of land for its headquarters.

The organisation, entitled the Association of Athletes and Coaches of Moldova, accused NOSC officials of stealing public funds, selling accreditations for the Olympic Games and taking commissions on Olympic Solidarity payments meant for Moldovan athletes.

But the main claim made by the group is an accusation of fraud relating to the MOC building in Chisinau.

In the letter, the group claimed the MOC sold the plot of land, reportedly worth around €1.5 million (£1.3 million/$1.7 million), for more than €460,000 (£414,000/$540,000) last year.

Speaking at the time, Juravschi vehemently denied the accusations that the sale was illegal, describing the claims as "nonsense". 

The NOSC claimed the letter was sent anonymously and that the Association of Athletes and Coaches of Moldova has no public standing.

It called the accusations "unjustified attacks".