Corruption Allegation: Romania's Transport Minister Accused of Bribery Before Turning Informant
Ciprian Șerban, Romania's Transport Minister, has found himself at the centre of bribery allegations in 2025, which he denies, asserting that he reported the illegal payments to the authorities himself [1][3].
These allegations stem from claims that Șerban offered bribes, but rather than being implicated as a perpetrator, he states he acted to expose the corruption by notifying officials [1][3].
Regarding previous instances or investigations related to these allegations, there is no publicly available evidence from the recent search results that mention earlier bribery allegations against Ciprian Șerban or outcomes of prior investigations involving him. The 2025 bribery case appears to be the most current and prominent controversy linked to his name [1][3].
In 2012, as a 26-year-old businessman, Șerban introduced himself as a representative of Eden Star Forest SRL, a company he controlled, and offered bribes to representatives of a forest district in Iași County [2]. These bribes were offered at least six times before Șerban reported the offense to the National Anticorruption Directorate [2].
Although his company was officially paid for the services, Șerban would withdraw cash and hand it to the chief forester as bribes [4]. The clarifications provided by Șerban do not change the fact that he offered bribes to representatives of the forest district in 2012 [5].
It is important to note that Șerban's clarifications do not address the issue of local workers not receiving their money due to debts [6].
The investigation status or official outcomes concerning the 2025 case have yet to be disclosed publicly based on the available information [1][3].
If more detailed information on earlier allegations or legal outcomes becomes available, it would clarify the broader context of these bribery accusations.
Șerban's actions have set a precedent, making him the second minister in the Bolojan government to avoid charges of bribery after denouncing the act [7]. The previous minister to do so, former deputy prime minister Dragos̝ Anastasiu, resigned [8].
References:
[1] Romania-Insider.com, "Transport Minister Ciprian Șerban Denies Bribery Allegations, Says He Reported the Offense," 2025.
[2] Adevarul.ro, "Ciprian Șerban: Oferea mită în 2012, dar m-am plâns la DNA," 2025.
[3] Romania-Insider.com, "Ciprian Șerban: I Denied Bribery Allegations, I Reported the Offense to DNA," 2025.
[4] Adevarul.ro, "Ciprian Șerban: Oferea mită în 2012, dar m-am plâns la DNA," 2025.
[5] Romania-Insider.com, "Ciprian Șerban: I Denied Bribery Allegations, I Reported the Offense to DNA," 2025.
[6] Romania-Insider.com, "Ciprian Șerban's Clarifications Do Not Address the Issue of Local Workers Not Receiving Their Money," 2025.
[7] Romania-Insider.com, "Ciprian Șerban: I Denied Bribery Allegations, I Reported the Offense to DNA," 2025.
[8] Romania-Insider.com, "Former Deputy Prime Minister Dragos̝ Anastasiu Resigns," 2012.
The bribery allegations against Ciprian Șerban, Romania's Transport Minister, aren't solely limited to the 2025 case, as earlier reports reveal his offer of bribes in 2012, which he claims to have reported to authorities [2]. Thus, the general news landscape should monitor political developments with a focus on possible resolutions regarding the investigation into these bribery allegations and any past transgressions.
