Security Firm Exec Faces Graft Charges

Millions seized in undeclared funds, gold, luxury goods.

A wide-ranging investigation into **Horațiu Potra** has uncovered alleged tax evasion, misappropriation, and money laundering, leading to asset seizures and a second criminal case against the security services executive.

Raids Uncover Hidden Assets

In February 2025, searches of **Horațiu Potra’s** properties revealed trollers with a million dollars, gold bullion and hidden safe. Investigators are pursuing a case regarding tens of millions in undeclared income, questionable transactions, and revenue tied to security services in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Authorities have seized money, gold, and real estate to cover damages and potential confiscation. The General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the insurance measures.

Assets Frozen

Prosecutors detailed the assets seized from **Horațiu Potra**:

• 24.2 million lei in bank accounts
• 28.91 kg of gold, valued at approximately 8.7 million lei
• 1.7 million lei in other bank accounts
• 12 properties (apartments and commercial spaces) in Bucharest and Sibiu county, worth an estimated 14.5 million lei

The total value of the seized assets exceeds 46.7 million lei.

Criminal Charges Detailed

The Prosecutor’s Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice stated that **Potra**, along with three other suspects—including his brother, a French citizen, and an associate—are under investigation for:

• Tax evasion: Over 72 million lei undeclared
• Misappropriation: Approximately 12.2 million lei
• Money laundering: 13.5 million lei concealed through fictitious contracts

These alleged offenses occurred between 2022 and 2025, involving a network of shell companies and contracts across Romania, Congo, and the United Arab Emirates.

Congo to Dubai: A Money Trail

Investigators found that **Potra** and his accomplices generated tens of millions of lei providing security services in Congo from June 2023 to November 2024. The funds were then routed through shell companies in the United Arab Emirates and hidden in personal accounts or used to purchase luxury items. Tax evasion related to these revenues is estimated to have cost the state budget 7,256,082 lei (about 1.44 million euros).

Also under investigation are:

• A French citizen accused of failing to declare over 44 million lei in income in Romania, despite residing there.
• A representative of companies registered in the United Arab Emirates, suspected of signing sham contracts to obscure the origin of the money.
• **Potra’s** brother, accused of aiding in all three offenses.

Links to Controversial Figures

Judicial sources indicate that **Horațiu Potra** had ties to **Călin Georgescu**, known for associations with radical and conspiracy-minded groups.

Investigators say **Potra** financed the luxury car driven by **Georgescu** and provided him with regular payments.

Evasion Scheme Unveiled

The alleged scheme employed by **Potra** involved:

• Recording fictitious acquisitions in accounting (21 false invoices worth 18.8 million lei)
• Creating fake service provision contracts via Dubai-based companies
• Conducting multiple bank transfers to obscure the money’s origin.

**Potra** has a background in private security services, with business connections in Central Africa. He allegedly acted as a broker for contracts in Congo and established a network of companies in the United Arab Emirates for illicit financial activities. Roughly 5% of global illicit financial flows are related to the extractives sector, including activities in the Congo (Global Financial Integrity 2023).

This is not the first time **Potra** has faced similar charges, but this new case includes extensive documentation, financial records, secure storage, luxury goods, and international networks.