October 18, 2016 - 1:11 PM
BUCHAREST, Romania - Prosecutors have arrested seven staff at one of Romania's biggest wine companies along with three public officials on suspicion of tax evasion worth 600 million lei ($147 million) at the winery.
A court in Bucharest on Tuesday ordered the seven workers at Murfatlar jailed for 30 days pending the investigation.
Anti-corruption prosecutors also placed three finance officials, suspected of abusing their positions and illicit personal gain, under house arrest. The rulings can be appealed.
Prosecutors say that from 2010-2014 the seven winery workers aided by public officials kept fictitious financial records, did not pay sales taxes and other taxes.
The Murfatlar wine company has its vineyards near the Black Sea in eastern Romania and is known for both its red and white wines.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016