Romanian Integrity Agency Asks Prosecutors To Investigate Fmr Education Min

According to the integrity agency, during her office as project manager, Andronescu cashed about 40,000 lei (about EUR10,000).

According to ANI, in September 2008, Andronescu was appointed manager of a project carried out within the operational program financed with structural funds. She did not renounce her manager position after she was appointed minister, said the integrity agency.

Andronescu held the position of education minister between 2000 and 2003 and December 2008-October 2009.

Given the facts, the agency claims Andronescu was incompatible with the position of minister.

The integrity agency started checkups in Andronescu’s case in March 2011 regarding a possible conflict of interest. On April 8, the former minister learnt from an ANI notification about the start of wealth checkup procedures.

According to integrity inspectors, Antonescu was appointed rector of the Polytechnic University in Bucharest in 2004. In the 2000-2003 and 2008-2009 intervals she renounced this position as she was appointed Education minister. She has been a member of the Parliament since 1996.

Andronescu said Thursday she will challenge ANI’s decision in court, arguing she cashed no money from the project she managed. Furthermore, said the former minister, in 2010 the integrity agency issued a verdict saying that the position of senator and that of university rector were not incompatible.