Bucharest Mayor Ciprian Ciucu Charged in Corruption Probe Linked to Gambling Office

Romanian prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) have opened a corruption case that stems from an investigation of the National Gambling Office (ONJN). The probe originally targeted the gambling operator Winbet, owned by Bulgarian nationals, after a large jackpot payout was reported. Subsequent audits uncovered alleged bribe‑paying schemes.

Odeta Nestor, former head of the ONJN and a close associate of Ciucu, was placed in pre‑trial detention and charged with multiple counts of bribery, complicit bribery and illegal use of confidential information. TV moderator Denise Rifai, a friend of Nestor, was summoned as a suspect, appeared before the DNA on 19 June and refused to comment to the press. She has denied any involvement.

Bucharest mayor (general mayor) Ciprian Ciucu was placed under judicial control for 60 days on suspicion of receiving €100 000‑plus in advertising and electoral‑consultancy services from two businessmen during the November‑December 2025 election campaign, in exchange for construction permits and urban‑planning certificates. DNA confirmed that the mayor’s case was opened after the ONJN investigation yielded “solid indications” of additional corruption offences.

President Nicușor Dan, speaking in Istanbul and later in Brussels, said that all publicly available information comes from DNA and that the existence of undisclosed evidence, such as alleged wiretaps, is “normal”. He stressed that no further comment would be made on the substantive allegations.

The scandal has prompted reactions from political figures, including former premier Ludovic Orban, who defended Ciucu, and has drawn public attention to possible links between media personalities and political corruption.