Former Romanian State Secretary Indicted in Abuse of Office Case

Former state secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Adrian Pintea, and the director general of the National Phytosanitary Authority (ANF), Romeo Șoldea, have been indicted by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in a case of abuse of office. The alleged misconduct resulted in damages exceeding 148,000 lei (approximately $32,000).

The investigation centers on the transfer of an individual, known to Pintea, to a position within an institution subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. The person in question was previously employed at the Chamber of Deputies in the Technical Secretariat, Registry, and Archive Department. Subsequently, they were transferred to the ANF as a senior advisor in the International Public Relations Office, performing secretarial duties.

Prosecutors allege that Pintea urged Șoldea to approve the transfer within an unusually short timeframe, despite both being aware that the procedure violated provisions of the Administrative Code. The code requires public authorities to publish an announcement at least 30 days prior to verifying the professional competencies needed for a public position. In this instance, the transfer was reportedly completed just seven days after the application was submitted.

To facilitate this move, the job description was allegedly altered to suit the new employee. The DNA has placed precautionary measures on assets belonging to Pintea and Șoldea, seizing a property from Pintea and a movable asset from Șoldea, up to the amount of 148,542 lei, plus legal costs.