Romania's biggest corruption cases in 2014
Romania’s anticorruption prosecutors were realy busy in 2014, as they investigated top politicians, public officials and some of the country's richest businessmen. This year was marked by some big corruption cases which led to several high-profile arrests.
The National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) was probably one of the top suppliers of headlines for the media in 2014. Here are some of the biggest cases which made the headlines this year:
1. The Microsoft licenses case – This was probably the biggest corruption case in 2014. Nine former ministers were indicted by the DNA in this case which investigates the purchase of overpriced IT licenses by the Romanian Government. A former communications minister and three businessmen were arrested in this case which will probably continue well into 2015.
Former Romanian communications minister, three others, arrested in the Microsoft IT licenses case
2. The illegal retrocessions case – This was, in fact, a series of corruption cases. First, illegal forest retrocessions were investigated. MP Viorel Hrebenciuc, one of the most influential Romanian politicians, was arrested for his involvement in the illegal retrocession of 43,000 hectares of forests. His son, Andrei Hrebenciuc, and another deputy, Ioan Adam, were also arrested in this case, along several others.
Romanian Prime Minister’s father-in-law prosecuted in EUR 300 mln illegal forest restitution case
Romanian politician’s son, arrested for attempted illegal forest restitution
Former Romanian deputy arrested in illegal restitutions case
The second large case was related to overvalued compensations granted by the National Authority for Property Restitution (ANRP). The chief prosecutor of the organised crime and anti-terrorism directorate DIICOT, Alina Bica, was arrested in this case, along with other members of the ANRP.
Romanian Organized Crime Chief Prosecutor arrested for corruption
3. The ASF-Carpatica Asig case – This was the first big corruption case which made the headlines in 2014. The president of Romania’s Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), Dan Radu Rusanu, and a member of the ASF, Marian Mirzac, were arrested for favouring Carpatica Asig, an insurance company owned by local businessman Ilie Carabulea. Carabulea was also arrested in this case.
4. The President’s brother case – Mircea Basescu, Romanian former-President Traian Basescu’s brother, was arrested for bribery and influence trading related to his connection with a convicted underworld leader.
Romanian President’s brother arrested for 24 hours in EUR 0.25 mln influence trading case
Comment: The Romanian President’s brother and the gypsy underworld
Romanian President’s brother indicted for influence peddling
5. The judge bribery case – Romanian businessman Dan Adamescu, one of the country’s richest, was arrested in this case for bribing judges to help him keep his firms out of insolvency.
Romanian billionaire, prosecuted for allegedly bribing two judges, his lawyer commits suicide
Romanian billionaire arrested for 30 days
6. Local 'barons' arrested for corruption – Several county council presidents and mayors of large cities, generally known as “local barons” were investigated and arrested this year for corruption related crimes.
Buzau County Council president detained for 24h for corruption
Brasov County Council president detained for 24h for corruption
President of local county council in Romania arrested for alleged bribery
Anti-corruption prosecutors take Romanian County Council head into custody for alleged work abuse
Former Constanta Council president found in Turkey, to face arrest in Romania
The DNA will probably continue to make headlines in 2015. The biggest case expected for this year is the EADS case. Here is a preview:
German media: Romanian ministers, businessmen and German officials involved in EADS corruption case
Media: Former EADS Germany manager, indicted in a bribery case which started in Romania
editor@romania-insider.com
