Romanian businessman Ilie Carabulea was sentenced to 18 months in jail, without parole, for having offered a bribe. The businessman recently resigned from the helm of local lender Banca Carpatica, which he also founded. He is the main shareholder of the bank, with 46 percent of the shares. This is the biggest corruption file involving a Romanian businessman so far, and concerns one of the country's wealthiest: Carabulea, 65, ranked 22nd in the top Forbes 2010, with an estimated wealth of EUR 200 million.

According to prosecutors, Carabulea paid a RON 4,000 ( the equivalent of some EUR 915 ) bribe to Florin Apostu, the former head of the Sibiu Prosecution for gaining support in promoting an appeal. Apostu let the businessman believe he had influence over Romania's general prosecutor. In 2010, the Sibiu prosecutors were working on as many as 196 files on Carabulea's firms. Ilie Carabulea also owns Atlassib holding, with activities in transport and leasing. Prosecutors also showed that Apostu used two Audi and VW cars between 2006 and 2010, both from Atlassib Leasing, for which the company paid the VAT and the down payment. Apostul was sentenced to five years in prison.

editor@romania-insider.com