# Harvard Romania Forest Connection and Corruption Scandal

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/01/harvard-romania-forest-connection-and-corruption-scandal/
- Published: 2014-01-24T12:47:00-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## No Harvard Fund Manager Detained in Romania on Corruption Charges with a Forest Connection

A former Harvard University endowment fund manager is [detained](https://web.archive.org/web/20160328235555/http://responsibleharvard.com/breaking_news_romania/)
in Romania over alleged corruption in forests connection of all things. Prosecutors
say he participated in a scheme to rig land restitution deals worth tens of millions
of dollars.

### Fully Owned by Harvard

Scolopax SRL is fully [owned](https://responsibleatharvard.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/fy12-pf-990.pdf)
by Harvard University and directly controlled by Harvard-owned holding company Phemus
Corporation. According to Romanian news sources, Scolopax is the [largest private owner of forests in Romania](http://www.bihon.ro/samsar-forestiar-arestat-pentru-spaga-de-un-milion-de-euro/1375389),
with over 35,000 hectares of land.

Authorities arrested Remus Truică, who once worked as a high-ranking aide to Romania’s
former prime minister. He also served as a manager for Harvard’s Romanian real estate
investments. According to investigators, Truică and his associates used bribery 
and influence to obtain valuable forest and farmland illegally returned under Romania’s
restitution program.

![Entrance to romanias national anticorruption directorate in bucharest with official
signage romanian flags and a uniformed guard at the door](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EC99EAA7-E9D2-4775-B9D0-1C307F92931B.png?resize=780%
2C520&quality=50&ssl=1 "EC99EAA7-E9D2-4775-B9D0-1C307F92931B - The Green Living 
Guy")

Romanias National Anticorruption Directorate investigates high profile corruption
cases underscoring its role in promoting accountability and transparency

### **Managing director of Scolopax accused of accepting bribes**

Moreover, Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors allege the group falsified paperwork
and paid off officials to secure prime land. Reports estimate the land’s value at
over $120 million. As a result, Truică and other suspects face charges of bribery,
money laundering, and organized crime.

Meanwhile, Harvard’s endowment fund has distanced itself from the case. A spokesperson
emphasized that the university had ended its business ties with Truică years earlier.
In fact, they stated Harvard had no role in the alleged wrongdoing.

### No Accounting 

“Harvard currently has no verifiable system of oversight or accountability for the
practices of its fully-owned companies,” said Aryt Alasti from the Responsible Investment
at Harvard Coalition. “We are demanding that Harvard adopt a [Position of Responsible Ownership](https://web.archive.org/web/20170307193115/https://responsibleharvard.com/responsible-ownership-campaign/our-demands/)
that works to maintain legal compliance, fair environmental and labor practices,
respect for land rights and non-discrimination policies, and transparency in corporate
governance.”

Overall, the investigation highlights Romania’s ongoing struggle with corruption.
The country has faced international pressure to strengthen its anti-graft efforts,
especially as a European Union member. Therefore, this high-profile case serves 
as a test of Romania’s commitment to justice and transparency.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 24, 2013

> _Image information: Yellow and green spring forests along curvy hills enclosing
> the village. Snow covered Fagaras mountains are in the background with dark [clouds](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/1-trillion-gallons-of-water-wasted-not-if-you-fixaleak-with-the-epa/)
> and an overcast white sky above them.; Date 29 April 2008, 10:31; Source: Glowing
> spring forests in front of mountains; Author: Horia Varlan from Bucharest, Romania_

Source: [The Responsible Investment at Harvard Coalition](https://web.archive.org/web/20180821111119/https://responsibleharvard.com/)

[⌊harvard Romania forest connection⌉⌊harvard Romania forest connection⌉[

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 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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