Nati Meir. In trouble again?
Israeli-Romanian politician suspected of fraud, tax evasion
Nati Meir, who was formerly entangled with Israeli law authorities, began his presidential bid in Romania, allegedly paying for his campaign using counterfeit euro bills found in his office by police
Nati Meir, an Israeli-Romanian who formerly served as a Romanian parliament member, was arrested Monday by the Romanian police on suspicion of fraud, tax evasion and forgery.
Meir was brought to trial for similar charges in 2006, however the trial has yet to be concluded. The controversial politician was formerly entangled with Israeli law authorities as well, and was convicted of fraud as part of a plea bargain.
According to reports, the unit for prevention of organized crime raided Meir's office following reports that he paid several people hundreds of euros in counterfeit bills.
Allegedly, some of the counterfeit bills were found in Meir's office, with which he apparently paid for his planned presidential campaign.
Controversial Figure
Smadar Shir
Convicted of fraud, hated by Jewish community, supported by prisoners, Nati Meir wants to be president of Romania. Barely speaking language and having no real platform doesn't seem to matter
Meir, who specialized in bringing workers from Romania to Israel, became a famous personality in Romania after joining the nationalistic "Greater Romania" Party, and serving as a parliament member on their behalf.
Meir helped clear the reputation of Greater Romania's chairman, Corneliu Vadim Tudor, who was known for his inflammatory anti-Semitic statements.
Following his term in parliament, Meir left the party and became an independent politician. Recently, Meir declared his intention to run for presidency of Romania, claiming he was offered to serve as a minister in the newly established government, after the previous government collapsed following a vote of no confidence.
