Three Romanian officials start jail time for illegal land exchange deals

Romanian businessman George B, former-MP Victor B, and former-General Dumitru C, were sent to prison for irregularities in a land exchange scheme dating back to the early 1990s.

“[Victor] B and [Dumitru] C got two years in prison, but according to Romanian media, they might spend around 8 months in prison if they show good behavior. [George] B could spend just two years in jail […],” Romanian news agency Romania-Insider reported, May 21.

The court found that the land exchange deals in question included instances of bribery, document fabrication and insider trading.

Although all three individuals were sentenced to two years in prison, George B, who owns Steaua football club, will serve three years as he has a criminal history. He was previously given a suspended sentence, after being found guilty of kidnapping. Steaua’s owner tried to leave the country the day before the court decision was to be issued, but was caught by the police.