Sinaia Mayor Vlad Oprea Investigated by DNA for Bribery, Influence Peddling
Anti-corruption prosecutors are conducting searches on Wednesday morning at the Sinaia City Hall and at the residence of liberal mayor Vlad Oprea, in a case that concerns several corruption cases. The crimes of influence peddling and bribery are being investigated.
The investigation by prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate is targeting, according to Digi24 sources, the assets of mayor Vlad Oprea, with suspicions of bribery and influence peddling targeting him.
After the searches carried out by investigators, including those at the Sinaia City Hall and Vlad Oprea’s home, he is to be brought to Bucharest for questioning. Judicial sources told mass media that searches are also taking place at a person close to Oprea, as well as at the head of the Sinaia Local Police.
The DNA investigation started from an investigation published last year, in May, by journalists from Recorder, under the title “The Carpathian Cartel”.
The journalists reported on properties owned by Oprea through intermediaries, including a castle in France, and on the villa he built in Sinaia, in an area considered an architectural reserve, which benefits from a private road with Oprea as the sole user.
In the press investigation, the journalists also wrote about rigged auctions and the involvement of a company owned by the mayor’s mother in various businesses.
Oprea, who refused to talk to journalists from Recorder and the Media Investigation Center (CIM) throughout the journalistic investigation, reacted after its publication, declaring that he has no business that was triggered by his position and that the material is “paid”, “campaign material”.
Castle in France
In the Recorder investigation, journalists showcase images of a castle in France, officially owned by a close associate of Mayor Beniamin Gonț. However, discussions with neighbors, the local mayor, and the architect overseeing the project suggest that Vlad Oprea is the one making decisions, as he has been seen at the castle multiple times. Not only Beniamin Gonț but also his brother is part of Oprea’s inner circle. The two brothers own various businesses in Sinaia, though their revenues fall far short of justifying the purchase of a castle and its renovation, valued at over €2 million.
The investigation also reveals that Mayor Oprea has built a 1,000-square-meter villa in an architecturally protected area of Sinaia, near Sinaia Monastery. Footage shows Beniamin Gonț present at the villa during construction, with municipal vehicles and employees working on the site. According to journalists, Oprea constructed a forest road leading to his property and installed a “No Access Except for Residents” sign, though he is the sole beneficiary.
Party at Foișor Castle
The Recorder-CIM investigation further reports that Privacons SRL, a company officially owned by the mayor’s mother, received hundreds of thousands of euros from businesspeople who won contracts in Sinaia or required permits from the Sinaia City Hall. The journalists also document, with visual evidence, a private birthday celebration held by Vlad Oprea at Foișor Castle, managed by RA-APPS, despite the building’s status not allowing private events.
According to Recorder, PNL Secretary-General Lucian Bode, a party colleague of Vlad Oprea, purchased land in Sinaia below market value from Oprea’s sister. On this land, a villa is under construction, owned by Bode’s son. A similar villa belonging to Mayor Vlad Oprea is being built nearby. Both projects are being handled by a company owned by Beniamin Gonț, which lists “restaurants and catering services” as its main activity and has no employees.
Lucian Bode told Recorder journalists that he is “building a small cabin” and does not know who Vlad Oprea’s sister is. He also stated that he chose the construction company based on price and quality criteria.
Vlad Oprea is serving his sixth term as mayor of Sinaia, having been elected with over 47% of the vote.
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[serving his sixth term as mayor]. How is this possible in a Democracy? Power corrupts thus multiple terms should be prohibited. This is a basic rule of Democracy.