A public employee and a well known Romanian businessman are currently being investigated in the bribery case in which Romeo Stavarache, the mayor of Bacau, was arrested on June 26 by the National Anticorruption Agency (DNA) for 24 hours.

Constantin Apostol, director of the North-East Regional Development Agency (ADRNE) and Romanian businessman Costel Casuneanu, owner of the  PA&CO International construction company, also know as one of Romania's 'asphalt kings' are investigated in this file. 

Stavarache allegedly received bribes of over RON 2.3 million (some EUR 522,000) from several businessmen, according to a DNA press release. Two other suspects were arrested in this case, namely Liviu Vasile Cenusa and former football player Liviu Goian.

According to investigators quoted by local Agepres, Constantin Apostol is being investigated for the offense of complicity to bribery. He allegedly received RON 150,000 (some EUR 34,000) from the owner of a company in Bacau, via Top Sport Association, “knowing this money represent the bribes requested by Romeo Stavarache” to award a public work contract to that company.

Between March and April 2009, Apostol, together with Stavarache, asked Costel Casuneanu RON 100,000 (EUR 22,800) as sponsorship for the Top Sport Association, so that the Bacau Municipality will issue a construction certificate.

Romanian businessman Casuneanu, who is based in Bacau, is being investigated in the same case for giving bribes, being accused of transferring RON 100,000 (EUR 22,800) in Top Sport Association’s account, at the request of Stavarache and Apostol, reports Agerpres.

Casuneanu is among Romania's wealthy. His company PA&CO International has been awarded road construction and asphalting projects throughout Romania. Last year, Casuneanu was convicted to four years in jail on parole in another bribery case. 

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com