Neumann János University Foundation suspends strategic director

The Board of Trustees of the Neumann János University Foundation (NJEA) has temporarily suspended its strategic director, Szabolcs Szemerey, from his duties. The foundation stated that the measure is intended to ensure an “objective and undisturbed investigation” into certain circumstances related to the foundation’s previous operations.

Szemerey, who is the second cousin of former central bank governor György Matolcsy, was considered one of the most influential figures within the university despite not being a member of the foundation’s board or supervisory committee. The suspension follows recent developments involving Matolcsy, who was taken into custody.

The investigation appears linked to the management of approximately 144 billion forints in state funding received by the NJEA between 2020 and 2021. While the funds were intended for campus development and urban projects, many planned investments remain unfinished. Reports indicate that 127.5 billion forints were instead invested in Optima Befektetési, an entity linked to the Hungarian National Bank (MNB).