Romanian Businessman Arpad Paszkany Indicted On Corruption Charges

Paszkany is accused that, during 2004-2006, he backed an organized crime group run by local media mogul Liviu Man, by funding the publications of Man’s “Gazeta” media group to obtain personal benefits and propel his own companies.

 

Paszkany is also accused of masterminding blackmail operations carried through by the members of the criminal group to force rival companies into certain activities or force them to back out to his own benefit, withdraw from certain auctions or sign contracts for further illicit profit.

 

Throughout the criminal investigation, several witnesses said many people in the media knew that Paszkany was financing the publications of “Gazeta” media group to propel his own businesses and destroy his competition. To achieve his goals, Paszkany would set off aggressive and negative media campaigns about other players on the market.

 

Prosecutors established that several local journalists set up an organized crime group and, from 2004 until November 2006, they blackmailed 43 people into signing advertising contracts with “Gazeta,” or they would face compromising disclosures in the respective publications.