News / EU

Romanian minister questioned over corruption

Saturday, 14 March 2015 11:04 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 14 March 2015 11:04 AM ]

Romania's Finance Minister Darius Valcov

Romanian authorities have questioned Finance Minister Darius Valcov over allegations of accepting two million euros (USD 2.11 million) in bribes from a construction company.

The country’s anti-corruption authority, DNA, said in a statement on Friday that Valcov was questioned over allegedly taking a bribe while he served as mayor of Slatina, in southern Romania.

"Anti-corruption prosecutors have started a criminal investigation against Darius Valcov, the mayor of Slatina at the time and currently finance minister, in connection with charges of abuse of power," the statement read.

"Evidence shows ... as a result of an understanding with a businessman, the suspect Darius Valcov received approximately 2 million euros ($2.10 million) during 2010-2013, part of this sum being received directly, in cash, and 2.48 million lei ($585,000) through some firms as intermediaries," the statement added.

According to prosecutors, Valcov had asked a committee granting the construction contracts to bend the rules in favor of the firm, which was awarded several projects to expand and refurbish water supply for Slatina and a number of nearby towns and villages.

Following the questioning, the finance minister denied the allegations against him.

Romania, seen as one of the European Union's most corrupt member states, has in recent years cracked down on corruption, prosecuting thousands of public servants. Several high-ranking officials have been charged and convicted, including Prime Minister Victor Ponta's former premier Adrian Nastase, in two separate cases last year and in 2012.

Reports say some seven percent of Romania’s lawmakers elected in 2012 have convictions or are being investigated for graft.

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