Former PM Ponta acknowledges timely information on corruption attempt by his minister Lucian Isar

Former PM Victor Ponta stated that during his term he was informed directly only once about a clear corruption attempt by a minister, namely Lucian Isar, and immediately ordered his replacement. 

"I do not know clearly the reasons for today's summoning [of Lucian Isar] to the DNA [National Anticorruption Directorate - editor's note]. But I can tell you that in approximately four years as prime minister there was only one instance when I was informed directly by the state's specialised institutions about a clear corruption attempt by a minister - Lucian Isar (who requested personal advantages in return for his support to a major American investor in implementing an important project in Romania)! (...) In a few hours I replaced Isar with Mihai Voicu. Probably those who informed me also notified the DNA. Unfortunately, such people exist," Ponta wrote on Wednesday on his Facebook account. 

Economist Lucian Isar, former Minister Delegate for Business Environment in Ponta's cabinet, was heard for two hours on Wednesday by anti-corruption prosecutors. 

Upon leaving the National Anticorruption Directorate offices, Isar answered media questions about Ponta's allegations by just saying, "Let him elaborate." 

According to judicial sources, Isar was summoned as witness in a corruption case. AGERPRES