All posts by Pethő András

Massive offshore leaks reveal former government politician’s hidden business

Pethő András 2016.04.04.

Millions of leaked offshore documents reveal the hidden businesses and assets of world leaders and politicians, including a former MP of Hungary’s governing party. He got involved in a secret offshore company while he was still in parliament.

Notary and businessman became extremely close, corruption trial reveals

Pethő András 2016.03.11.

The trial of the alleged District 5 corruption cases has started with the testimonies of the defendants. What emerged is a story of how a businessman with a wide network of contacts built an extremely close relationship with one of the most senior public officials of the district.

How Brussels took on the son-in-law of Hungary’s Prime Minister

Pethő András, Vorák Anita 2015.11.18.

Two EU investigations are being conducted into the state contracts that were given to Elios Innovatív under suspicious circumstances. If the wrongdoing is proven, Hungary could face financial penalties.

Names of luxury hotels where Lázár stayed have been revealed

Pethő András 2015.09.24.

The head of the Prime Minister’s Office stayed in fancy hotels in both cities: Four Seasons in Milan and Eden au Lac in Zurich.

Lázár lost another legal battle, hotel names have to be disclosed

Pethő András 2015.09.23.

The Curia upheld the previous verdict that forced the Prime Minister’s Office to reveal the names of the hotel where Lázár stayed in Milan and Zurich. Both trips drew attention because of unusually high hotel bills.

When companies become black holes for EU funds

Pethő András, Lehotay Orsolya 2015.09.03.

Public money was given to companies to make them stronger but many of them ended up in bankruptcy. A co-owner of one of these firms later was hired by the state to run one of the most important public companies.

Name of Lázár’s London hotel has to be disclosed, court rules

Pethő András 2015.07.10.

The Prime Minister’s Office has to disclose where János Lázár stayed on a trip to England in November 2012, which drew attention because of high hotel bills, a court ruled on Thursday. The ruling is not legally binding yet.

A corruption investigation has been shrouded in secrecy. Now here is what happened

Pethő András 2015.07.09.

In district five of Budapest, arranging a restaurant licence cost 1.5 million forints in bribes, according to the prosecutors. One of the suspects is a businessman whose company had received lucrative contracts from the municipality.

High costs covered car rental on Lázár’s visit in Zurich

Pethő András 2015.06.18.

Almost one thousand euros was spent on car rental during the two-day-long visit to Zurich of the head of the Prime Minister’s Office. He says he does not remember what type of car they used.

Lázár’s Milan hotel room cost 1.000 euros. Another 1.500 was spent on something else

Pethő András 2015.06.08. 2 Comments

The Prime Minister’s Office disclosed new details about those trips of János Lázár that drew attention because of unusually high hotel bills. Now it is known that substantial amount of money was spent on other expenses as well.

2014 was a prosperous year for 5th district’s mysterious entrepreneur

Pethő András 2015.05.27.

Profits nearly tripled for the construction company that has been awarded lucrative contracts by the 5th district while its owner keeps working in a hotel as an employee.

What we know about János Lázár’s mysterious trips (and what we don’t)

Pethő András 2015.05.19.

The Prime Minister’s Office has been guarding closely the details of the trips which initially drew attention because of high hotel bills but a yearlong lawsuit shed some light on them.

More details of Lázár’s foreign trips have to be disclosed, court rules

Pethő András 2015.05.18.

Direkt36 won another lawsuit against the Prime Minister’s Office over the secretive foreign trips of its chief, János Lázár. The court has ruled that the government has to disclose details of Lázár’s meetings.

Mystery Entrepreneur: His Company Is Flush With State Money, Yet He Keeps Working as a Hotel Employee

Pethő András 2015.05.06.

The company received most of its contracts from Budapest 5th district, during the mayoral term of prominent government politician, Antal Rogán. Direkt36’s investigation also revealed that the firm has several links to a businessman who had close business relationship with the district in the past.

Interior Minister’s Former Car Mechanic
Became Advisor of His Ministry

Pethő András, Zöldi Blanka 2015.03.31.

Béla Pittlik worked at a service station where Sándor Pintér, now the minister of interior, used to take his car. Now Pittlik works for the ministry, controlling projects for which he does not always have proper qualifications.

Prime Minister’s Office Loses Appeal Over Unusually High Hotel Bills

Pethő András 2015.03.12.

The court ruling forces the Prime Minister’s Office to disclose details of two trips of János Lázár, head of the office. This may shed light on why his trips resulted in hotel bills that were unusually high.

How Western Taxpayers Help Boost the Businesses of Hungary PM’s Inner Circle

Pethő András, Vorák Anita 2015.02.26.

The prime minister has been saying harsh things about the EU and the West. What he does not talk about is that companies of his friends and his son-in-law are receiving a lot of money from there.