The general manager of Romania’s Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA), Dorel Gheorghe Benu, was be taken in for questioning, following searches conducted by prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) on Wednesday morning (June 4), Mediafax newswire reports.

He is investigated in a case of corruption that involves granting illegal agricultural subsidies to farmers in Suceava county, according to judicial sources.

The criminal activity of the group suspected of illegally granting agricultural subsidies was coordinated by Delia Moldoveanu, deputy director at APIA Suceava, who had the “unconditional support” of APIA’s general manager, according to Mediafax.

The investigation targets subsidies granted between 2012 and 2014, the damage in this case amounting to over RON 5 million (some EUR 1.1 million).

Some 20 people are investigated in this case, including the general manager and advisors of APIA, veterinarians from the Veterinary and Food Safety Directorate DSVSA Suceava, a lawyer, a priest, policemen and farmers.

According to the sources, parishes and monasteries in Suceava county received illegal subsidies, although they weren’t practicing farming activities.

According to DNA prosecutors, a criminal group was formed within APIA Suceava, which included officials responsible with checking and approving subsidy files. They’ve allegedly accepted, for payment, applications of individuals and legal entities that didn’t meet eligibility requirements.

DNA announced Wednesday in a statement that 13 searches are taking place in Bucharest and Suceava and Dambovita counties, five of them being conducted at headquarters of public institutions and companies. The investigation targets corruption acts allegedly committed by public officials with management positions and businessmen.

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