Romanian anticorruption prosecutors on Wednesday indicted National Customs Authority head Radu Traian Marginean on charges of corruption, people close to the matter told Mediafax newswire. Marginean was heard by prosecutors Wednesday in a case of influence peddling at the Halmeu customs, northwestern Romania. He was appointed National Customs Authority head in February 2009 and is also fiscal authority ANAF vice-president.

Businessmen Liviu Florian and Ion Savu and Ioan Romeo Nitu, former employee of a duty-free shop, also investigated in the case, were placed under arrest Friday evening. Florian is accused of allegedly taking a EUR 130,000 bribe in September 2009 from Nicoleta Dobrescu, whom he promised he would intervene with the National Customs Authority head to appoint her Halmeu customs office inspector. The EUR 130,000 were paid in several tranches through Savu.

Prosecutors said Nitu helped Dobrescu get the money from usurers or cigarette traffickers. Dobrescu was appointed Halmeu customs office head on September 23, 2009 and held this position until February 24, 2010. She was heard by prosecutors on January 26 in Satu Mare.

Mediafax