Former transportation minister and his brother are jailed for fraud in Romania

BUCHAREST, Romania – A former Romanian Cabinet minister and his brother have been convicted of fraud and sent to prison.

Prosecutors said the crime involved the sale of antiquated electrical appliances at current market prices to the state electricity company between 2002 and 2005, costing the nation $2.3 million.

In addition to sending Relu Fenechiu, who served as transportation minister in 2012 and 2013, and his brother and business associate Lucian Fenechiu to prison for five years, the court ordered Relu to pay $1.72 million in damages.

The High Court for Cassation and Justice, which cannot be appealed, also convicted three former managers of the state electricity company and jailed them, two for six years and one for seven.