Businessman Gruia Stoica, convicted for buying influence, was sentenced on Thursday to four years in prison and prohibition of selected rights for a period of three years.
His lawyer, Doru Bostina, received a custodial sentence of three years, being convicted for influence peddling in the same case.
This is not a final decision and may be appealed against.
Businessman Gruia Stoica was brought to trial at the beginning of last year, on a count of purchasing influence. His lawyer, Doru Bostina, was charged with trafficking in influence.
According to the prosecutors, on 22 January 2014, Gruia Stoica, the person who controls GFR SA, a member of the Gram pet group, promised to layer D. Bostina EUR 3 M in exchange for him using the influence he had suggested had over CFR Marfa general manager to convince him to act against his work duties and disclose to him the bid placed by his company in a tendering procedure.
The action was intended at Gruia Stoica receiving the contract that was the object of the tendering procedure – the transportation of coal from the Olteania Energy Complex.
Gruia Stoica announced he would challenge the decision to the Supreme Court
Gruia Stoica on Friday said he took note with “sadness” of Ploiesti Court of Appeal decision through which he is sentenced to four years in prison with execution and announced that he would challenge it to the Supreme Court. “I don’t comment on the decision. I am confident and I hope that the appeal that I will file to the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) will be judged impartially and will lead to the natural result of being acquitted. I’m sure that a simple business discussion between me and my attorney could not be regarded as constituting an offense of trading and influence peddling, “said the CFR owner in a press statement.
