Romanian court orders release of former finance minister Darius Vâlcov from prison

The Vrancea Tribunal decided on Wednesday, June 3, to release Darius Vâlcov, the Social Democrat (PSD) former mayor of Slatina who also served as finance minister between 2014 and 2015, from jail on parole.

In 2015, the Social Democrat was accused by prosecutors of influence peddling, money laundering, carrying out acts of commerce incompatible with his office, and concluding financial transactions using information obtained by virtue of his position. According to the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), in 2009, businessman Theodor Berna, administrator of Tehnologica Radion, contacted Darius Vâlcov, who at the time was mayor of Slatina. Berna asked for Vâlcov’s support in obtaining contracts with the Olt Water Company in exchange for 20% of their value.