(Reuters) - A judge at Romania's highest court has been placed under investigation for abuse of power, taking bribes including a BMW car and two dresses for his wife, and setting up an organised crime group, prosecutors said on Thursday.
Judge Toni Grebla, who denies wrongdoing, is the latest in a series of top officials to be investigated for alleged corruption in Romania. They include the father-in-law of Prime Minister Victor Ponta, the brother of former President Traian Basescu and the chief prosecutor at the agency in charge of fighting organised crime.
The former communist state, which joined the European Union in 2007, has come under heavy pressure from Brussels to clean up its government and judiciary. The EU has praised anti-corruption prosecutors for their efforts to tackle high-level graft.
Grebla, 61 was appointed to the Constitutional Court in 2013 after serving as a senator since 2008. Prosecutors said in a statement he co-founded an organised crime group to forge customs documents and smuggle food to Russia after Moscow banned food imports from the European Union last year.
Grebla has also demanded and received a BMW worth 56,070 euros (42,992 pounds), 20,000 flyers for his senate election race, and two dresses worth 1,200 lei ($310) from a local businessman to intercede in his favour with public clerks, prosecutors said.
They added the judge, whose position prohibits him from having any commercial dealings, had managed an ostrich farm through intermediaries in southeastern Romania.
"What is being alleged has no connection to activity at the Constitutional Court," Grebla told reporters. "It is damaging my image, that is why it bothers me."
He said the BMW had been given to him by a businessman who was also his godson, and therefore was "in the family". He also denied running an ostrich farm.
The Constitutional Court has the final say in all legislative and state matters. Its nine judges serve nine-year terms and are appointed by the president, the senate and the lower house of parliament.
"It was a huge surprise for us, this is the first time that a Constitutional Court judge is in such a situation," chief judge Augustin Zegrean told reporters.
"We regret this situation. Anti-corruption prosecutors must see this investigation through and get to the bottom of things because I want no shadow of a doubt hanging over the Constitutional Court."
Grebla will be allowed to remain in his position for now but would be suspended if his case went to trial.
Waterdrop®, brandul european care a redefinit experiența de hidratare prin soluții sustenabile și design minimalist, lansează în România colecția AO26 în Ediție Limitată, inspirată de dinamica și ritmul inconfundabil al Australian Open. Noua colecție aduce în prim-plan produse create pentru cei care își doresc hidratare de nivel profesionist în viața de zi cu zi, de […]
The 33rd edition of Concerto di Natale, held on December 13, 2025, at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome, will feature Romanian artists Stephanie Radu and Alin Stoica. The concert, a Christmas emblem, brings artists from all over the world before the international public. Soprano Stephanie Radu will perform two special moments, namely “Regalo di Natale,” her […]
North Bucharest Investments has been honored at the CIJ Awards 2025 with the Best Residential Real Estate Agency of the Year distinction — a recognition of the company’s performance, dedication, and strong positioning within Romania’s high-end residential market. “This award is about people. About those who choose, every single day, to believe in this company, […]
Romania ranks 11th in the world in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, with a “very high” level of English language skills. According to the index, which represents one of the most extensive global studies on language competence, adults in Romania show a high level of English knowledge. English remains the main international language of communication, […]
Over EUR 1 million was raised at the 25th Christmas Tree Festival, which took place on Thursday, December 4, at the National Museum of Art in Bucharest. Funds will be used by Save the Children Romania, the organizer of the auction, for access to quality education. The tree that raised the most money in the […]
Allianz-Țiriac Asigurări, one of the leading insurance companies on the local market, has completed the sale of its two former headquarters located in the Victoriei Square area of Bucharest. The deals were brokered by Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. The property on Căderea Bastiliei Street, of approximately 6,000 sqm GLA, was acquired by Praktiker Real Estate, […]
