Park Maintenance 'King' Linked to Budapest Politicians Detained in Corruption Probe

Hungarian authorities have detained several prominent politicians, including district mayors and members of the ruling Fidesz party, as part of an investigation into an alleged corruption scheme involving public funds for park maintenance.

Central to the investigation is Z. Zsolt, described as a key figure who allegedly has had deep, decades-long connections with politicians and municipal tenders. Information suggests he informally oversees a network of companies that have secured numerous public contracts. The implicated districts include Újbuda, Zugló, the 2nd district, Újpest, and Óbuda. Reports indicate that investigators seized a park maintenance contract from the Óbuda municipality as part of their probe into alleged corruption involving the mayor and associates.

Among those detained are Zsolt Molnár, the mayor of Újbuda, Gergely Őrsi, the mayor of the 2nd district, former Fidesz mayor of Óbuda Zsolt Láng, Fidesz district faction leader Csaba Gór, and former Fidesz deputy mayor of Óbuda Péter Puskás. The prosecution has requested the detention of Zsolt Molnár. Csaba Gór, speaking to Index, asserted that the suspicions against him are unfounded. He confirmed he was not taken into custody and was allowed to go home after questioning. Gór also announced his resignation from the board of an MNB foundation.

The investigation also involves two former members of the opposition Momentum party. The alleged scheme reportedly involves issues related to "invoice factories," parking, and park maintenance, with Z. Zsolt and potentially one or two other individuals identified as the main orchestrators. Z. Zsolt has reportedly cooperated with Zsolt Molnár and other opposition politicians in Budapest for decades, and their wives even had a joint business venture years ago.