Romanian justice continues to be a on a roll, with more public figures sent to jail for corruption. The former presidential candidate Ninel Potarca was sentenced to three and a half years in jail for tax evasion, with no suspension. The court found him guilty of having prejudiced the state budget by some EUR 4.1 million.

The court decision can be further appealed. Ninel Potarca's conviction also includes two years without civil rights after serving his jail time, which means he cannot run for public office or vote.

This is his second conviction this year, after getting a two-year suspended jail sentence, also for tax evasion.

His brother was also sentenced to two years in jail. The two, together with two other business people were sent to court in 2011 by the National Anti Corruption Directorate (DNA). The former presidential candidate used fake invoices in his accounting in order to avoid paying taxes to the state, VAT and profit tax. The fake invoices were issued by the companies of the other three sentenced in the same case. Potarca's company, Siatra Prod SRL, which collects scrap metal, is currently bankrupt. The firm bought the former Arad chemical factory in 2000, closed it down and sold it as scrap metal. The company still owns the 40 hectares of land of the former chemical factory.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: sxc.hu)