A pigeon's director in Romania is caught on camera writing down the amount of the alleged bribe

A director of the Slovenian energy company GEN-I Sonce was recorded on video allegedly negotiating a bribe worth €450,000 during a meeting in Romania, according to reports. Gregor Hudohmet, who previously worked under former Prime Minister Robert Golob, was arrested by Romanian investigators on suspicion of demanding a two percent commission from a contract valued at over €22 million for a battery storage project in Gheorgheni. The alleged bribe would have been paid through a service agreement with the company Smart Green Design, which prosecutors claim did not provide actual services. The key moment occurred on September 24 in Bucharest, when Hudohmet met with Leon Arhire, owner of Waldevar Energy, a company involved in the project. According to court documents obtained by Tarča, Arhire had a hidden camera in his jacket button and recorded Hudohmet writing down the requested commission amount on a whiteboard. Hudohmet reportedly avoided speaking aloud to avoid being recorded by surveillance devices, but Arhire's hidden camera captured the act. Romanian prosecutors allege that Hudohmet and Cristian Theodor Dragomir, a former director of Waldevar Energy, conspired to secure the bribe. Both men were arrested on September 25 before the suspected payment could be made. Adrian Frățean of Smart Green Design stated in court documents that the money was not intended as payment for his company’s services but rather to ensure Hudohmet facilitated further payments. These statements are part of the investigation and not yet proven. GEN-I Sonce received approximately €6.5 million from R-Energy 8 this year and around €30,000 from Smart Green Design last year, according to court records. GEN-I explained the latter amount as technical advice and monitoring of Romanian projects. Hudohmet has not spoken to journalists, stating he needs to coordinate with his lawyer. GEN-I has initiated a review of the project, while the Slovenian police are conducting a preliminary investigation under the guidance of the specialized public prosecutor’s office. The case has drawn attention in Slovenia due to Hudohmet’s close ties to Golob, who once led GEN-I. Although there is no evidence yet linking Golob directly to the alleged bribery, the investigation has political implications. Slovenian authorities have confirmed they received a complaint and launched a preliminary investigation, establishing international police cooperation. In addition to the corruption case involving Hudohmet, another investigation is underway regarding the spending practices of GEN-I. Between 2021 and 2025, GEN-I spent approximately €3.05 million on advertising, primarily with companies linked to Martin Odlazek. The Commission for Preventing Corruption (KPK) has confirmed receiving a complaint and is examining potential violations. It warns that opaque government advertising opens the door for political influence and service payments, suggesting monthly reporting in the Erar system and defining companies that do not require advertising due to their market dominance. The KPK emphasizes the need for oversight by the Slovenian State Holding, recommending audits of advertising expenses and transparency of political interests among leaders to prevent indirect financing of political activities. GEN-I’s new director, Andrej Vizjak, was asked whether he would request an audit of previous transactions, particularly payments to the Romanian law firm D&B David și Baias, which received over €826,000. The connection to the corruption investigation is not yet confirmed. Meanwhile, the KPK is independently investigating allegations of pressure and influence related to the resignation of former health ministry state secretary Tea Košir. Košir resigned after conflicts with her communications advisor and later withdrew from politics, taking up a position at the Infrastructure Directorate. Rumors suggest internal pressures within the Democratic Party and possible job offers after leaving politics. The KPK will examine these claims independently.