Prosecutors of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) opened a criminal investigation into former Health Minister Nelu Tataru in a case in which he is accused of receiving bribes between RON 100 and 500, as well as food for his medical services, the DNA said in a release on Thursday.

Tataru, a specialist doctor with the Surgery Section of the „Dimitrie Castroian” Municipal Hospital in Husi, Vaslui County, and a Liberal deputy, faces suspicions of bribe-taking (57 counts).

In the investigation ordinance, anti-corruption prosecutors allege that, between April 3 – July 12, in his capacity as a specialist doctor at the „Dimitrie Castroian” Municipal Hospital in Husi, Tataru received various amounts of money, usually between RON 100 and 500 as bribe, as well as foodstuffs from 45 people (patients/next-of-kins) for fulfilling his duties as a surgeon, consulting patients or issuing medical prescriptions.

Another 27 people who are suspected of the offense of bribery are being investigated in the same case, the DNA informs.

AGERPRES