A Romanian MP was recently sentenced to jail for corruption, but the court decided for a shorter jail time than what the prosecutors had asked.

The first conviction came in less than one month from the MP's preventive arrest, the final one, within two more months. Both convictions were a few months after the deeds for which he will serve time. Romania's justice system is known for the length of trials, with most corruption cases lasting for several years until a definite sentence is given.

Gheorghe Coman, a member of the Parliament's Chamber of Deputies, will serve one year in jail, a definitive sentence, for having used his influence with another politician to receive money, goods and services. Coman, who pleaded guilty, is already under preventive arrest, having been arrested in January 2014.

The prosecutors found that Coman used his position to ask for money from an individual – who turned informant – in order to help him keep his job as deputy director of the Food Safety and Veterinarian Health Inspection in Buzau county.

Coman asked for several services, such as hiring a fellow party member or favoring a company managed by another party member, between November and December 2013. The MP also received a whiskey bottle and RON 3,100, in December 2013.

Coman was a member of the Conservative Party PC, after moving from the People's Party Dan Diaconescu in March 2013. In the Chamber of Deputies, he was member of the commission tasked with investigation abuse and corruption.

editor@romania-insider.com