Charges brought against Integritás Authority chief for misconduct and forgery
The prosecution has brought charges against Ferenc Biró, the head of the Integritás Authority, for abuse of office, forgery of public documents, and embezzlement causing significant financial damage.
Charges brought against Integritás Authority chief for misconduct and forgery
The Central Investigation Prosecutor's Office has brought charges against Ferenc Biró, the head of the Integritás Authority (IA). The charges relate to offences of abuse of office, forgery of public documents, and embezzlement causing particularly significant financial damage. The prosecution has requested that the court impose a custodial sentence and monetary fine, as well as order the confiscation of 23 million forints of assets.
Following the announcement of the charges, Ferenc Biró responded with a statement. According to him, the proceedings against him are politically motivated and part of a retaliatory action designed to discredit him and, through him, the Integritás Authority. He described the timing as particularly telling: he claims the charges were announced immediately after he gave interviews to the DE! Action Alliance, Politico, and the Financial Times, in which he discussed major public funds misappropriations in recent years.
The investigation began in January 2024. According to the prosecution, Biró caused the Integritás Authority a total financial loss of more than 140 million forints. The charges allege that he embezzled 1.5 million forints and awarded a commission to conduct a lecture to a family acquaintance. Additionally, the indictment includes a 100 million forint consulting contract.
According to Biró, the proceedings were initiated during the previous government cycle, and the domestic intelligence service conducted a house search at his home last year. He believes his family was also intimidated. However, the prosecution concluded the investigation in April, so Biró would have known that charges were being prepared against him.
The head of the State Audit Office announced on Tuesday that they are considering removing Biró from office due to the proceedings.
Source: HVG
Source: HVG