The DNA prosecutors conducted several searches on Tuesday morning in Bucharest, Ilfov, Prahova, and Constanța in a case where the head of ANPC, Cristian Popescu Piedone, is suspected of acts related to corruption. He denies all the accusations.
UPDATE: Piedone arrived at the DNA headquarters in Bucharest, where he is to be questioned.
"The prosecutors from the National Anticorruption Directorate - Anti-Corruption Section are conducting investigations in a criminal case concerning suspicions of committing offenses related to corruption, by public officials and their accomplices.
On July 22, 2025, following the legal authorizations obtained from the competent court, home searches are being carried out at 5 locations within the city of Bucharest and the counties of Ilfov, Prahova, and Constanța, one of which is the headquarters of a public institution, the rest representing the residences of individuals or the headquarters/branches of commercial companies," DNA announced in a statement.
Specifically, Piedone is alleged to have disclosed information not intended for public consumption to a business operator before the Consumer Protection chief was due to inspect it, as reported by sources cited by Digi24 and Info Sud-Est.
The head of ANPC allegedly notified the inspection and told the company representatives how to prepare, and the next day praised them in a video posted on TikTok.
The business entity that was warned by Popescu Piedone before the inspection is the International Hotel in Sinaia, owned by former liberal Dan Radu Rușanu, the former head of the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF), according to the sources.
The searches took place at Piedone's home in Bragadiru, as well as in Sinaia, where the business operator warned by Piedone was located.
Photo: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea
The prosecutors also went to the DeSilva residential complex in Mamaia Nord where the head of ANPC was staying. They took Piedone from the residential complex and brought him to his home to witness the searches.
Piedone's Reaction
In response, Cristian Popescu Piedone stated that he does not hide the fact that the owner of the hotel in Sinaia has been his friend for years, but he says he did not inform him about any inspection.
"If these things happened, they would have been somewhere in April, May, during a command operation in the Prahova Valley. I did not coordinate that command operation. I do not hide the fact that the hotel owner is my friend for years. He is also a public figure. I did not have any exchange of information, I did not announce, and I was not," stated the ANPC president, as quoted by News.ro.
He claimed that his investigations have upset many people.
"Since I have been the president of ANPC, I can be accused of anything, I can be called anything, I have not engaged in influence peddling, I have not taken a penny, I have done my duty. That I have upset, yes. This is evident, I do not accuse anyone, I will go all the way, but I have upset a lot and I am talking about corporations, I am talking about many others behind all these stories.
I only wanted to do my duty and I will continue to do so. I will prove the presumption of innocence that exists now, and I must carry it through to the end," Cristian Popescu Piedone further stated.
When asked if the DNA prosecutors have any evidence regarding the discussion with the person from the hotel in Sinaia, Popescu Piedone responded: "We will see... If there is evidence, it means that my phones and those of my driver were tapped."
Later, the ANPC president stated that the search at his residence had ended, no documents were found, and he was going to give statements to the DNA.
"The search has ended. It was conducted in extremely professional conditions by the DNA prosecutors. Nothing was seized, the requested documents were not found. The search has been closed. Probably now the search is also closing at the ANPC office. I am going to give statements to the prosecutor," Cristian Popescu Piedone affirmed.
Photo: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea
Accused of Advertising Through Inspections
Cristian Popescu Piedone was appointed head of the National Authority for Consumer Protection in February 2025, the decision being signed by the then Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu.
Subsequently, Ciolacu stated that Piedone, "exaggerates" and promotes himself through his actions.
- Ciolacu, deranjat de circul lui Piedone: E prea multă publicitate personală
- Piedone s-a dus cu ANPC la spitale. Medic-manager: Orice control are o bază legală, cât timp nu o are, nu prea avem ce discuta
"I think there is too much publicity, somehow associated with personal advertising. However, let it remain in the job description," Ciolacu recommended.
The head of ANPC has been accused on several occasions of "abuse" in the exercise of his duties.
Sudden inspections at 3 in the morning, unannounced checks, with trays overturned, sizzling in pans, and rummaging through refrigerators, all sprinkled with sharp remarks and comments.
"Maximum fine! Suspension of activity!" shouts Piedone, to the amusement of his TikTok followers. This is how the new head of the ANPC, former mayor of Sector 4, then of Sector 5, and now a government official, conducts his activities.
Piedone's activities, closely filmed by his team, have gone viral.