Darius Valcov has been appointed as state adviser in the working apparatus of PM Viorica Dancila, according to a decision made by the Premier and published by the Official Gazette on Tuesday.
The decision is countersigned by the Government Secretary General, Ioana Andreea Lambru.
Both ruling coalition leaders, Liviu Dragnea (PSD) and Calin Popescu Tariceanu (ALDE) have sprang in Valcov’s defence on Wednesday, praising his professional expertize.
Dragnea said that his appointment as PM’s adviser is no surprise, as he is “a man of rare value” from the economic perspective who has contributed a lot to drafting the ruling programme. Asked about Valcov’s legal problems, Dragnea replied: “Mr. Darius Valcov jas the right to live and walk freely and as long as he has these advatanges and wants to help, he is welcomed”.
In his turn, ALDE chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu, said that Darius Valcov is “competent”, arguing that 70% of the politicians have criminal files, a fact which Tariceanu accused is due to “a movement to purge the ellites”.
However, despite his nomination in the Government, Valcov still has to face his legal problems. Dolj Tribunal ruled on Wednesday to maintain judicial control against Valcov in his corruption cases.
Valcov is prosecuted in two files, being charged with corruption and is investigated by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) in a third file, charged of requesting RON 2.5 million bribe during his term as Mayor of Slatina, hotnews.ro informs.
In March 2015 the prosecutors seized from him and his close collaborators 125 paintings signed, among others, by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Tonitza and Luchian. The prosecutors charge him with influence peddling, money laundering and financial operations or trade activities incompatible with the positions of mayor, senator and minister.
He is accused that, during April-December 2015, he received from businessman Theodor Berna, the owner of Tehnologica Radion, through the former mayor Minel Florin Prina, the amount of RON 2.5 million. The money was handed to Prina in five tranches of RON 500,000 in Slatina. Valcov has allegedly received, during 2012-2013, from Theodor Berna, through several companies, the amount of RON 3,080,000, digi24.ro reports.
In June the same year, Darius Valcov was placed under judicial control for instigation to bribe taking, he was banned to leave the country in another file on a civil servant at the Office of Cadastre and Real Estate Advertising in Olt County, accused of bribe taking for three years from a company controlled by Vâlcov.