Romanian PM Nominee Investigated For Negligence – Sources

Johannis is under investigation since October 1 over the retrocession of several plots to people who failed to meet legal requirements, back in 2005.

On June 12, 2006, prosecutors initiated criminal investigations against the mayor and other people, a notary public, a legal adviser within Sibiu City Hall as well as the secretary of the Sibiu mayoralty. The case files were later sent to the organized crime police, DIICOT, and investigators claimed the case involves an organized crime group.

DIICOT prosecutors sent the file to the National Anticorruption Department (DNA), as the notary public involved allegedly forged several inheritance certificates through which someone of German heritage became heir of relatives whom he could not inherit by law.

After the notary documents were issued, several buildings in Sibiu were claimed, including a building that housed a kindergarten.

Johannis was placed under anticorruption investigations under charges of abuse of office in three mayoral decisions where he allowed the restitution of the plots, without mentioning the buildings on said plots.

Anticorruption prosecutors decided the elements involved did not add up to an abuse charge and, on September 24, they discontinued the case and sent the file back to the Alba Iulia Court of Appeals.

Since October 1, prosecutors are looking at Johannis with suspicion of abuse of office.