Sociologist Alin Teodorescu has revealed during the show ‘In front of you’ at Digi24 TV that the explanation for the large wealth of some politicians lies in the law on the non-nominal shares at the bearer. The former PSD deputy also said that these companies include Teldrum, about which the press wrote that it belongs to Liviu Dragnea (current social-democrat chairman – our note). “It was known who steals,” he added according to digi24.ro.
Politicians participated in the management of public funds. In Romania, over the past 30 years, we are talking about nearly EUR 1,000 billion. If 3% were stolen, they were stolen – according to the first SRI report the 1997 some 30% were stolen – but let’s say 3% were stolen, it means EUR 30 billion for 500-600 people who were in leadership positions,” Alin Teodorescu said.
Asked how politicians could conceal this money, he explained that this is allowed by a ‘line’ in Law 15 and Law 30 of 1990, which allow you to own non-nominal shares at the bearer.
“It’s copied from an inter-war law that could be changed right away, there are 350 firms with non-nominal shares at the bearer, including Teldrum. If the law is amended, these companies should disclose their owners. There are 350 companies in the country in this situation. According to some estimates, about 1% of the annual budget leaks away though them,” Alin Teodorescu said.
The sociologist explained that if these laws since 1990 would be amended, either by governmental initiative or by a parliamentary initiative, then the owners of these 350 companies that run approximately 1% of Romania’s budget each year should declare ownership and they could be known.
Asked where he has the information from, the sociologist replied it is public information, at the Trade Register and at the Ministry of Finance.
“There are some groups that conduct studies. You will see that the owners of Teldrum are in Brazil, Madagascar, Cyprus and probably Indonesia – I do not know, I invent – they are off-shore companies. Look how many off-shore companies win big auctions on SEAP, “Alin Teodorescu added.
Asked if there was any attempt to amend this law, Adrian Năstase’s former adviser said ‘yes’: “In 2004 there was an attempt to amend the law and to eliminate the system by which the owners declare their property only when they show up at the shareholders assemblies.”
Asked who tried to, the sociologist replied that “the government tried, but I have no proof, so we do not talk about it.”