Romanian Justice and Human Rights >>> Corruption and incompetence >>> PUWAK – PHARE CASE

In August 2003 a scandal started concerning the use of European funds in her personal interest by the former Minister of European Accession, Hildegar Puwak, at the time also the vice-president of the ruling party, Social Democratic Party (PSD). The former Minister obtained over 150,000 euro from EU funds for 4 companies owned by her husband and son, under the pretext of using the money for training courses, which in fact never took place. Puwak was dismissed only in October 2003, after intense press campaigns. The prosecutors initially declared Puwak innocent, than re-opened the case mid 2005, with no solution to the present date. Puwak currently holds the position of counselor of the vice-governor of the National Bank.