Police raid homes of water company director and local PNL councilor in extortion probe
Authorities executed search warrants at the residences of Cătălin Andronesi and Valeriu Matei as part of a criminal investigation into alleged extortion and blackmail.
On a recent morning, officers from the Economic Crime Investigation Service of the Olt County Police executed four search warrants at two Slatina residences belonging to a 58-year-old water-company director and a 60-year-old local PNL councilor. The operation is linked to a criminal case investigating alleged extortion and blackmail. According to the investigation, the councilor had repeatedly loaned money to a victim with interest between November 2024 and October 2026, and later coerced the victim for further cash or material gains between June and September 2026.
The raids were overseen by a prosecutor from the Slatina District Court. When police entered Matei's home, he fired a hunting rifle he possessed legally, but complied with orders to hand over the weapon, which was then confiscated. The search continued without any reported casualties.
Why it matters
The raids highlight alleged corruption involving local officials and a public utility, raising concerns about abuse of power.
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