Chitoiu presented the conclusions of an audit report on the activity of the ministry and the companies under its authority between 2009 and 2011.
According to the minister, oil storage and shipment firm Oil Terminal (OIL.RO) spent tens of thousands of euros on jewels, expensive wines, perfumes and other luxury products. The report also points to some 852,000 lei (EUR185,800) in unjustified expenses on legal services.
Chitoiu, who took over as minister in May, asked the Finance Ministry to check all state companies controlled by the Economy Ministry, and look at their public acquisitions.
So far, the Finance Ministry presented results for 18 companies and their subsidiaries.
Chitoiu said he cancelled a RON7.7 million mine reclamation auction validated in 2011 and won by firm Ecoinvest Deva. Irregularities were found both in auction procedures and in auction paperwork, said the minister.
The Economy Ministry has checked the EU-funded program increasing economic competitiveness, or POST CCE. According to Chitoiu, the program’s management authority registered significant delays in evaluating projects. The number of projects that have not yet been evaluated reaches 4,534, he added, warning that the European Commission might stop payments within the program. (EUR1=RON4.584)