Mayor of Slănic Moldova detained by anti-corruption prosecutors over €21,000 bribe
Moraru Benone, mayor of Slănic Moldova, was detained for 24 hours by anti-corruption prosecutors after being caught in flagrante delicto allegedly receiving the final instalment of a €21,000 bribe.
Mayor from Bacău detained in flagrante with €6,000 on his person
Moraru Benone, mayor of the town of Slănic Moldova in Bacău County, was detained for 24 hours by prosecutors from the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, accused of bribery. According to Cotidianul.ro, the flagrante delicto occurred on 27 October 2026, when the official allegedly received the final instalment of funds — €6,000 — from a representative of a contracting firm.
Two instalments, a contract worth 1.4 million lei
The anti-corruption directorate contends that the bribe was paid in two stages. The first instalment of €15,000 was allegedly handed over on 23 July 2026. Investigators note that some of the works covered by the contract had already been paid for by the municipality at the time of that payment.
The contract in question, valued at 1,464,349.43 lei, was concluded during 2025 between Slănic Moldova Municipality and a commercial company, with the purpose of emergency intervention to restore drinking water supply capacity from a drain. Prosecutors claim that the total sum received by the mayor — €21,000 — is linked to the award, extension and execution of this contract.
Criminal case opened, proposal for preventive detention
The anti-corruption directorate ordered the initiation of criminal proceedings and the detention of the mayor for 24 hours beginning on 27 October 2026. The charges were communicated to him in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
On 28 October 2026, Moraru Benone was scheduled to be presented before Bucharest Court with a proposal for preventive arrest for 30 days. The court will decide on the measure requested by prosecutors.
The case concerns alleged acts of corruption in connection with a public contract for works on the drinking water network of the town of Slănic Moldova.
Source: Cotidianul.ro