Public TV station: Romania Environment minister Laszlo Borbely suspected of traffic of influence

Romanian anti-graft prosecutors will call for approval to investigate Environment minister Laszlo Borbely under suspicion of traffic of influence, Romanian public TV TVR reported on Tuesday. In an answer to a TVR request, the National Anti-corruption Department (DNA) says that DNA prosecutors in Oradea, Western Romania ordered a criminal inquiry on July 5 against two people including a personal aide tro the minister, Szepessy Szabolcs.

According to a DNA press release, a man representing a firm in Negresti Oas, NW Romania used the minister’s aide to buy the influence of Laszlo Borbely, Environment and Forestry minister, by spending 20,000 euro on works at an apartment for the use of the minister. The purpose of the works were to obtain contracts with the Romanian Waters National Administration, which is subordinated to Borbely’s ministry.

According to HotNews.ro sources, in order for a criminal inquiry to start on Laszlo Borbely the Parliament approval is needed, but that cannot be requested prior to September 1 as the Parliament is on summer break until then. Sources close to the investigation claimed there was proof Borbely was the beneficiary of the traffic of influence.

The Negresti Oas-based firm, Lescaci Com, won two, 70 million RON contracts from the Romanian Waters National Administration this year.