In June, the Government issued an emergency ordinance barring public institutions and state-owned companies from buying consultancy and legal assistance services if they already have specialized staff. The prime minister’s inquiry body also requested information on the institutions’ contracts with law firms, to inform the public about the way tax money is spent.
The audit was completed this week and reveals that public institutions gave more than RON150 million to law firms for legal services. According to the report, obtained by MEDIAFAX, the Romanian Lottery spent the most money – RON20.6 million, followed by Electrica – RON14.5 million, Hidroelectrica – RON11.5 million, and the State Asset Privatization Authority (AVAS) – RON11.2 million.
Other bodies that spent significant amounts of money on legal services are: public road authority CNADNR (RON5.9 million), the National Printing Press (RON5.5 million), subway operator Metrorex (RON5.2 million), airline Tarom (RON4.9 million), the Ministry of Regional Development and Tourism (RON4.8 million), Nuclearelectrica (RON4.3 million), Oltchim (RON4.1 million), the Bucharest airport company (CNAB, RON2.9 million), Electrica Serv (RON2.6 million) and Termoelectrica (RON2.6 million).
The list also includes the National Employment Agency (RON2.4 million), the National Water Administration (RON2.2 million), Oil Terminal (RON2 million), national postal service (RON1.99 million), Romatsa (RON1.98 million), Romsilva (RON1.7 million), National Salt Company (RON1.6 million), Lower Danube Administration (RON1.5 million), Environment Guard (RON1.47 million), State Building Administration RAPPS (RON1.41 million), Dobrogea-Coast Basin Administration (RON1.2 million), Sea Port Administration (RON1.18 million) and Romgaz (RON1.13 million).
The document says the highest earnings from such contracts went to law firms Ratiu&Ratiu (RON26.5 million), Bostina&Asociatii (RON10.8 million), Stoica&Asociatii (RON10.6 million), Eduard Fagarasanu (RON6.4 million), Cameron Mc Kenna (RON5.9 million), Societatea Profesionala “Centrul de Consultanta în Afaceri” (RON5.1 million), Tuca, Zbarcea&Asociatii (RON4.8 million), Mircea Andrei si Asociatii (RON4.6 million), Leaua si Asociatii (RON3.6 million), Enescu, Panait, Pop&Asociatii (RON3.2 million), Musat si Asociatii (RON2.9 million), Corbett&Co International Construction Lawyers (RON2.3 million), Sova&Asociatii (RON2.2 million), Ion Todan (RON1.9 million), A.C. Pop (RON1.8 million) and Clyde&Co Londra (RON1.7 million).
(EUR1=RON4.5142)