Nearly $20m found in Hungary’s forests, buildings amid corruption probe
Also reported by Guardian World
Summary
Hungarian investigators found about $19.5 million in cash during searches on November 12 and 13 in Budapest and three other parts of the country. The searches are part of a corruption investigation involving former development minister Miklos Sesztak, who is suspected of taking bribes and kickbacks; he denies wrongdoing.Key Facts
- Investigators found Hungarian forints, euros and U.S. dollars in buildings, a home, a safe and under the ground in forests.
- The recovered cash was deposited with the state treasury.
- Twelve treasury employees spent eight hours counting the money, Finance Minister Andras Karman said.
- Sesztak served as Hungary’s development minister from 2014 to 2018.
- Investigators suspect Sesztak received more than $37.2 million in bribes and kickbacks linked to bus purchases and government construction projects.
- Sesztak was detained in September and denies wrongdoing.
- Other former officials, including former central bank governor Gyorgy Matolcsy, have been arrested in separate cases; Matolcsy denies wrongdoing.
- A Median poll published by HVG found that 70 percent of respondents considered investigating suspected corruption under Viktor Orban and holding those responsible accountable very important.
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