Businessman Elan Schwartzenberg Confirms Realitatea TV Takeover

05.01.2011 ZF English

Businessman Elan Schwartzenberg on Saturday confirmed he has taken over a 92% stake in TV station Realitatea TV owned by Sorin Ovidiu Vintu, who is currently under arrest on charges of blackmail.

Schwartzenberg is expected to give more details in a news conference Monday.

Earlier Saturday, newspaper Evenimentul zilei reported in its online edition, citing unnamed sources, that Schwartzenberg was to take over the news station.

The Bucharest Court ruled Friday that Vintu and his employee, Ion Ilie Cezar, accused of blackmailing the manager Realitatea TV, Sebastian Ghita, will be investigated under preventive arrest.

Ghita told MEDIAFAX Saturday Schwartzenberg cannot be involved in the news station's management, because Ghita's firm, Asesoft, has a five-year management contract with the station.