Romanian businessman George Copos sentenced to four years in prison

Newsroom 29/01/2013 | 15:22

George Copos was found guilty of a EUR 1 million fraud and has been sentenced to four years in prison by Bucharest’s Second District Court. The court decision is not final and can be appealed.

According to prosecutors, during July-December 2004, Copos, who acted as associate and president of the board of directors of Ana Electronic, together with Gilio Giuzepe Roza (shareholder and manager of Ana Electronic, Ana Group, Ana Pan) and with the help of Nicolae Cristea (former general director of the Romanian Lottery) and Gabriel Rogoveanu (real estate agent at Euroest Invest) evaded the payment of taxes worth some EUR 1 million. They deliberately misled the authorities with regard to the tax liability by introducing several intermediaries in a real estate transaction which involved the Romanian Lottery.

Charges were made in October 2006, shortly after Copos had resigned from the vice-prime minister position.

The Romanian businessman is the owner the Rapid football club and founder and shareholder of the Ana Holding group of companies with activities in the hotel industry, real estate and bakery.

Simona Bazavan