(Luxembourg, 20 May 2026) - In an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Timișoara (Romania), the mayor of Buduslău (Bihor county) was placed under judicial control yesterday and charged with passive corruption, as part of an ongoing investigation into the execution of an EU-funded contract for improving agricultural road infrastructure.
Evidence gathered so far shows that since October 2025, the mayor, who also acted as the financial officer of the local authority, asked a company representative for a bribe equal to 5% of the contract value, excluding VAT. The contract itself was worth around €770 000 (RON 4 million) meaning the requested bribe was €38 500 (RON 200 000). In return, the mayor allegedly promised to ensure the contract was carried out smoothly and to speed up payments for works funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). It is suspected that the public official received the full amount in several instalments, including around €28 800 (RON 150 000) on 19 May 2026, when he was caught in the act.
The mayor has now been charged with passive corruption. He has been placed under judicial control for 60 days, which includes a ban on leaving the country and a prohibition on exercising his duties as mayor during that period.
The investigation is carried out with the support of the EPPO Support Structure in Romania (Structura de sprijin a procurorilor europeni delegați în România), Timișoara Special Operations Brigade (Brigada de Operațiuni Speciale Timișoara), Arad County Police Inspectorate - Economic Crimes Investigation Service (Inspectoratul de Poliție Județean Arad – Serviciul de Investigare a Criminalității Economice) and Timișoara Brigade for Combating Organied Crime (Brigada de Combatere a Criminalității Organizate Timișoara).
All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian courts of law.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.