Over 850 Romanians convicted for corruption: ministers, MPs, judges, mayors, prosecutors

Ministers, members of the Parliament, mayors, judges and prosecutors are among the Romanians who were convicted for corruption in the last 12 months, an activity report of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) reveals. Romanian courts ruled 281 convictions in corruption cases in the last 12 months against 857 people during this period. Among the people convicted are four ministers or ex-ministers and four deputies and one senator in the Romanian parliament, among which ex-prime minister Adrian Nastase, who got his second conviction in January this year. Eleven mayors, five judges and three state prosecutors were also sentenced for corruption, according to the DNA. Meanwhile, 262 cases were finalized and sent to court by the DNA prosecutors, involving 910 people. Most of these target bribery, influence trading, abuse, EU funds fraud, tax evasion and money laundering. Among those prosecuted are six deputies, two of which an ex-deputy prime minister and an ex minister, three senators, which also include one ex-minister, one member in the European Parliament and five county council presidents. The list also features 39 mayors and deputy mayors, 11 judges, 9 state prosecutors, 22 lawyers, 28 police officers, 20 customs officials and 6 fiscal inspectors. Some of the most notorious people sent to court are former president of the Romanian Fiscal Administration Authority (ANAF), the president of the Romanian Commerce and Industry Chamber, the president and one vice-president of the Financial Supervision Authority (ASF), the ex-president of the Romanian Football Federation and the former president of the Romanian Professional Football League. In total, almost 4,200 criminal investigations were registered at the DNA between May 15, 2013 and May 15, 2014, the report mentions. Most ministers and state secretaries investigated and convicted were found to have illegally awarded contracts on public funding, illegally assigned public seats, and interfered in law changes. Local representatives most often awarded public work in exchange for money or other benefits, under-evaluated public goods at auctions in favor of individuals or companies, or illegally retuned property. Judges and police officers were found to have issued or brokered favorable decisions in court cases, while custom officials favored smugglers. Directors of national and state – owned companies rigged public bids, illegally paid certain suppliers, or used confidential information to their own benefit. Romania has been criticized at an EU level for its corruption, but recent cooperation and verification mechanism reports highlighted the fight against corruption in the country. Romania’s authorities argue the country is more efficient at fighting corruption than the EU average, with a 34 percent success rate in corruption investigations, compared to the EU average of 26 percent. editor@romania-insider.com