Prosecutors of the Romanian National Anti-Corruption Department (DNA) ordered Vasile Savu, the leader of a miners’ trade union and a former deputy, be charged with fraud amounting to 1 billion Romanian lei on Thursday. The case will be judged at a Bucharest court.

It is the second major case pushed by the DNA this week after that against Social Democratic deputy Serban Mihailescu, charged in a bribery case.

Savu is chared of using his position as trade union leader in the purpose of abusively obtaining funds, goods and services. Charges also include forgery under private signature and abuse in office.

They relate to the period of 2002-2003 when Savu, as head of two trade union movements, used his authority and influence to force the leadership of the two unions to approve the allocation of funds that eventually reached his own pocket. The amount of the prejudice exceeds 960 million lei.