Prosecutors from the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) have ordered the 24-hour detention of the deputy head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea City Police, Senior Commissioner Raoul Alexandru Păunescu, in an influence peddling case. A man without a public office has also been detained in the case, accused of buying influence. [1]
The suspects have been indicted and acquired the status of defendants, and prosecutors will proceed to request preventive detention for 30 days from the Argeș Court. [1]
Investigators allege that the investigated acts took place in September 2026, when the police officer would have requested and received money to intervene in an ongoing criminal case at the Bălcești Town Police. [1]
According to the DNA, on September 29, 2026, the defendant Raoul Alexandru Păunescu, in his capacity as a criminal investigation body within the Vâlcea County Police Inspectorate, would have requested and received from the defendant L.I.C. the sum of €5,000, letting it be believed that he had influence over the police officers at the Bălcești Town Police, who were conducting investigations in a criminal case where L.I.C. was being investigated for traffic offenses. [1]
In exchange for the money, the Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea Police would have promised to intervene so that the investigation concluded favorably for the defendant. [1]
The DNA highlights that the deputy guaranteed the defendant L.I.C. that he could determine the officers handling the case to conduct the investigation in such a way as to obtain a non-prosecution decision. [1]
The accusations have been brought to the attention of both defendants, and the investigation continues with the support of officers from the General Direction of Anti-Corruption – Vâlcea County Anti-Corruption Service. [1]
Initiating criminal proceedings is a stage of the penal process and does not affect the principle of presumption of innocence. [1]
As the story develops
Update
Senior Commissioner Raoul Păunescu, detained by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate for influence peddling
The DNA prosecutors have detained the Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea Police, Senior Commissioner Alexandru Raoul Păunescu, for 24 hours in the influence peddling case. [2]
L.I.C., the individual who provided the money, was detained for buying influence. Both defendants will be presented to the Argeș Court with a proposal for 30-day preventive detention. According to the DNA, on September 29, 2026, Păunescu would have requested and received the sum of €5,000 from L.I.C., letting it be believed that he had influence over the police officers at the Bălcești Town Police, who were investigating a criminal case in which L.I.C. was being investigated for traffic offenses (driving with a suspended license and an unregistered vehicle). [2]
In exchange for the money, Senior Commissioner Păunescu would have promised to determine the investigators to carry out the investigation such that L.I.C. would obtain a non-prosecution decision. The investigation continues with the support of the G.D.A.N.I.C. - S.J.A.I.C. Vâlcea. [2]
Update
Commissioner Păunescu, detained by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate for influence peddling
The DNA prosecutors of Pitești announced on Thursday, November 5, the 24-hour detention of the Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea City Police, Senior Commissioner Raoul Alexandru Păunescu. In the influence peddling case, a man, identified by the initials L.I.C., was also detained, accused of buying influence. The two were detained starting from November 4, and on Thursday, prosecutors initiated criminal proceedings, granting both the status of defendants. Both defendants will be presented to the Argeș Court with a proposal for 30-day preventive detention. Prosecutors announced on Thursday, November 5, the 24-hour detention of the Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea City Police, Senior Commissioner Raoul Alexandru Păunescu, under investigation for influence peddling. A second person, L.I.C., was detained for buying influence after allegedly giving Commissioner Păunescu the sum of €5,000. [3]
Investigators claim that Păunescu would have requested and received the sum of €5,000 from L.I.C. to intervene in an ongoing criminal case. The acts would have taken place on September 29, 2026, when the Senior Commissioner would have let it be understood that he had influence over the police officers at the Bălcești Town Police, who were conducting investigations. The case targeted by L.I.C., investigated by the police in Bălcești, Vâlcea County, concerned two alleged traffic offenses: driving during the period of suspension of the right to drive and driving an unregistered vehicle. In exchange for the money, the Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea Police would have promised to determine the investigators to handle the case in such a way that the investigated person would obtain a non-prosecution decision. Prosecutors do not specify whether the officer actually intervened with his colleagues or if they complied with any requests. [3]
The investigations are conducted by the DNA Pitești, with the support of the General Direction of Anti-Corruption – Vâlcea County Anti-Corruption Service. According to the statement, the accusations and procedural rights provided by law have been brought to the attention of both defendants, and the investigation continues. [3]
Update
Senior Commissioner Păunescu, detained by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate for influence peddling
The DNA Pitești prosecutors have ordered the 24-hour detention of Senior Commissioner Raoul Alexandru Păunescu, Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea City Police, starting from November 4, 2026, in an influence peddling case. A man without a public office, L.I.C., was also detained, accused of buying influence. [4]
Investigators claim that the acts took place on September 29, 2026, when Păunescu would have requested and received the sum of €5,000 from L.I.C. The politician would have let it be understood that he had influence over the police officers at the Bălcești Town Police, who were conducting investigations in a criminal case in which L.I.C. was being investigated for driving a vehicle with a suspended license and an unregistered vehicle. [4]
In exchange for the money, the Deputy Head of the Râmnicu Vâlcea Police would have promised to determine the investigators to handle the case in such a way that L.I.C. would obtain a non-prosecution decision. The investigations are conducted by the DNA Pitești, with the support of the G.D.A.N.I.C. - S.J.A.I.C. Vâlcea. [4]
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- Adevărul Adjunctul șefului Poliției Râmnicu Vâlcea, reținut de DNA. Ar fi primit 5.000 de euro pentru a interveni într-un dosar penal
- AGERPRES Adjunctul șefului Poliției Râmnicu Vâlcea - reținut de DNA pentru trafic de influență
- MediaFax Adjunctul șefului Poliției Râmnicu Vâlcea, reținut pentru trafic de influență. Ce ar fi promis în schimbul a 5.000 de euro
- Adevărul Adjunctul șefului Poliției Râmnicu Vâlcea, reținut de DNA. Ar fi primit 5.000 de euro pentru a interveni într-un dosar penal
