Former Romanian education minister Ecaterina Andronescu was called in for questioning by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), in the Microsoft licenses case, on Thursday, November 27.

Andronescu, who served as education minister in Adrian Nastase’s cabinet, from December 2000 until June 2003, and also in Emil Boc’s cabinet, from December 2008 until October 2009, is one of nine former minister who are currently investigated by anticorruption prosecutors, for buying overpriced IT licenses for schools in Romania.

She is currently senator in Romania’s Parliament. The Parliament last week approved DNA’s request to prosecute her in this case.

Andronescu is investigated for abuse of office, bribery, influence peddling and money laundering. According to DNA prosecutors, she allegedly favoured IT companies Compaq, Siveco and other associate firms to get the contract for supplying public schools in Romania with PCs, software and Microsoft licenses for prices up to 50% higher than market prices. For this, she allegedly received money and other benefits.

Former communications minister Gabriel Sandu, Piatra-Neamt mayor Gheorghe Stefan, and businessmen Dorin Cocos and Niculae Dumitru have already been arrested in this case.

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editor@romania-insider.com

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