BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) β Romanian prosecutors investigating an alleged bribery scheme have questioned the former finance minister about the origins of 100 paintings, including three works by Pablo Picasso.
Prosecutors questioned Darius Valcov on Friday, saying the paintings had been hidden by four of his friends. The works have been sent to art experts for evaluation. Valcov, under house arrest since Thursday, declined to comment.
Among the paintings are works by Romanian painters Corneliu Baba and Nicolae Grigorescu as well as sketches by Picasso and works by Renoir and Andy Warhol.
Prosecutors said Valcov was an art collector who wanted to conceal the origin of money dishonestly gained.
He resigned March 15 after prosecutors charged him with taking 2 million euros ($2.1 million) in bribes when he was the mayor of small town.
