High official under investigation by anti-graft prosecutors

National anti-graft prosecutors sent the files of former ministers Decebal Traian Remes and Ioan Avram Muresan to court for bribe taking, a press release of the institution informs. Former Agriculture minister Remes is accused of traffic of influence while Muresan of facilitating bribe taking. In the same file, businessman Gheorghe Ciorba is also investigated for buying influence.

Anti-graft prosecutors argue that on September 13 and 23, 2007, Remes, who served as Agriculture minister at the time, accepted and received a bribe of 15,000 euro and food products valued at 1,500 Romanian Ron to favor a private constructions company in a public tender.

The owner of the company allegedly offered Remes, through Muresan an Audi Q7 vehicle, valued at 65,000 euro to win a public tender in Ramnicul Valcea. Anti Graft prosecutors made an official request to the Presidency on October 7, 2007 to receive the approval to investigate Remes.

On January 16, 2008 the President approved the request and on January 28, the official investigation was launched. Meanwhile, businessman Muresan was investigated.

The file was now sent to court for trial.