Social Democrat MP Hrebenciuc charged with influence peddling to get money, assets

The National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA) prosecutors have started criminal proceedings against MP Viorel Hrebenciuc, a member in the ruling Social Democrat Party's (PSD) National Executive Committee, whom they charge with influence peddling or abuse of authority with a view to getting money or other undue assets for himself or for other persons.

'On the request of a person who either directly or indirectly, via their family members or close ones controls a commercial company that owns a television station, deputy Viorel Hrebenciuc got directly involved in making moves aimed at persuading members of the National Audio-Visual Council (CNA) as the institution representing the only regulatory body of the audio-visual market to reconsider a decision by which the concerned television had been withdrawn its operating licence', the DNA said in a release to AGERPRES on Thursday.

The prosecutors argue that Vice Speaker of the Deputies' Chamber Hrebenciuc, in making these moves, used the influence and authority he has in his capacity of a member of the PSD leading structures.

'The use of such influence by Hrebenciuc significantly and effectively disturbed the Council activity by the inadequate exercise of the job tasks and the violation of the legal audio-visual instructions, thus allowing a television station that had been correctly withdrawn its licence to keep functioning', the release explains.

Hrebenciuc said on leaving the DNA headquarters on Thursday: 'I am a collateral victim, I presume, in this case. I have been notified that I am a suspect in this (CNA corruption) file'.AGERPRES