Published September 06, 2016
Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors say former Prime Minister Victor Ponta is being investigated for alleged financial improprieties connected to another political figure's 2012 visit to Bucharest.
Prosecutors did not identify the prominent visitor. But Sebastian Ghita, a businessman who was questioned by prosecutors Tuesday, told the Mediafax news agency that the probe focused on a visit by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Prosecutors also questioned Ponta on Tuesday. They are alleging he misused his authority as leader of the Social Democratic Party to persuade Ghita to spend 220,000 euros ($246,000) on Blair's trip.
In exchange, Ponta allegedly promoted the businessman within the party to help him win a parliamentary seat. Ponta and Ghita both deny wrongdoing.
Prosecutors' spokeswoman Livia Saplacan says the foreign visitor is not being probed.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/romania-ex-pm-investigated-over-pre-election-blair-visit