Dozens prosecuted at MediaPro for tax evasion and money laundering

Bucharest Court started on Thursday the prosecution of 32 people from MediaPro Group, suspected of tax evasion and money laundering. Among them, there is also singer Loredana Groza’s husband, Andrei Boncea.

Prosecutors conducted 41 searches in Bucharest, Dambovita, Ilfov, Arges and Braila Counties at the residences of several individuals and at the headquarters of certain legal entities.

According to a press release, the damage caused to the budget is around RON 6 million, representing the VAT and income tax. Also, the total amount of money laundered through the tax evasion’s circuit is approximately RON 15 million.

“The data and the evidence in question can show that the suspects have initiated, conducted and participated in tax evasion and money laundering circuits, through which, using false documents and fictitious accounting records, they escaped from paying the tax liabilities, transferring large sums in various ghost companies’ accounts, from where the money was withdrawn entirely in cash,” shows the release.The activities have been carried out with the specialized technical support of the Romanian Intelligence Service.

The announcement comes a week after Romanian Police sources stated for Agerpres that hearings were under way in MediaPro’s file that targeted to dismantle a group specialized in tax evasion and money laundering.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Victor Ponta and Adrian Sarbu (photo), who founded MediaPro and who currently holds Mediafax group, had been engaged in a public conflict. Sarbu and more businesses close to MediaPro corporation became the target of several tax evasion accusations and the Prime Minister attacked Sarbu several times arguing that the media tycoon would have  blackmailed him. PM Ponta also threatened Sarnu  that his actions would draw legal consequences if he didn’t pay the taxes.