Romanian deputy PM and fugitive businessman trade barbs over donations and corruption

A heated exchange has erupted on Facebook between interim Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu and Sebastian Ghiță, a controversial figure who fled Romania to evade corruption charges.

“

Mr. Sebastian Ghiță, who fled Romania to escape trial for corruption charges, came out this evening to attack me and Minister Irineu Darău for allegedly engaging in influence peddling. This is after I disrupted his combinations at the Romanian Digitalization Authority.

Gheorghiu initiated the public spat, accusing Ghiță of launching attacks against her and Minister Irineu Darău. She alleged that Ghiță's criticism stemmed from her disruption of his alleged "combinations" at the Romanian Digitalization Authority (ADR). Gheorghiu pointedly remarked on the irony of Ghiță, residing in Belgrade, Serbia, lecturing on integrity.

“

I don't know if Mr. Sebastian Ghiță understands the irony of this situation where he is giving us integrity lessons from his residence in Belgrade, Serbia.

Sebastian Ghiță responded directly in the comments section of Gheorghiu's post, demanding she return 60 million euros allegedly collected from Romanian donations for hospitals. He accused her of using these funds for political propaganda, paying celebrities and influencers. Ghiță invoked Nicolae Ceaușescu's famous phrase, urging Gheorghiu to "give the money back."

“

Swartzi Lady... please give back the 60 million euros from Romanians' donations for hospitals, sick children, treatments, etc. You use this money to do your political propaganda. You pay celebrities and influencers like Tudor Chirilă. With you... civic spirit is on public money! If you don't want or don't know how to spend the money... give it back to the state budget. As Ceaușescu said... Give... Oano... the money back.

In a swift reply, Gheorghiu extended an invitation to Ghiță. She urged him to return to Romania and visit the hospitals built with public and corporate donations, suggesting they could go together. The exchange highlights deep political divisions and ongoing legal battles involving prominent figures in Romania.

“

Mr. Ghiță, I warmly invite you to Romania so we can go together to the hospitals that people and companies have built through donations. Come on, get on the first plane and come home.