
Two Million in Public Debt

Under the modified contract, Banki’s company was supposed to begin work on the bioethanol factory in March 2012. However, when it missed that deadline as well, Salonta officials lost patience and reimposed the original terms, asking Bánki to settle his debts.

By this point, HP Investment had accumulated €2.3 million in penalties for missing the original deadline, and had also failed to pay €43,000 in property taxes. The local authorities asked a judge to declare the company bankrupt. “We have no guarantee that we can recover the money” in any other way, their complaint stated.

The court agreed, and transferred HP Investment’s land in Salonta, which the company had previously bought for more than €390,000, to the local authority to satisfy the €2.3 million debt. The companies that Bánki said lent him the money to buy the land did not appear in the court documents.

“Those companies had already failed [due to the economic crisis], they went bankrupt before our insolvency procedure,” Bánki told Direkt36. HP Investment was deleted from Romania’s Register of Commerce in 2014.

Laszlo Török, the Salonta mayor who signed all the contracts with Bánki’s company, didn’t answer calls or messages from reporters. When they visited the town hall in August to talk to him in person, he wasn’t available.

Selling to Himself

Bánki’s other company, HP Agro, also ran into financial trouble. In 2012, went into insolvency due to over €3,600 in unpaid taxes to state institutions in Satu Mare. As of this year, the company no longer exists.

Court documents in Satu Mare suggest that Bánki tried to salvage the HP Agro land for himself.

In 2013, Bánki founded yet another company, Agro Future Salro, in which an employee of the Salonta municipality, László Sándor Szathmáry, was a minority shareholder (Bánki owned 90 percent while Szathmáry owned 10 percent).

Bánki asked Szathmáry to “do things for him” in Romania, a relative of Szathmáry told reporters when they visited Agro Future Salro’s Salonta address in August. It
Two Million in Public Debt 

 Under the modified contract, Banki ’s company was supposed to begin workplace on the bioethanol factory in March 2012. However, when it miss that deadline as well, Salonta official lose patience and reimposed the original condition, asking Bánki to settle his debt. 

 By this point, HP Investment had accumulated € 2.3 million in penalty for missing the original deadline, and had also fail to pay € 43,000 in property taxes. The local authorities asked a judge to announce the company bankrupt. “ We have no guarantee that we can recover the money ” in any early way, their complaint stated. 

 The court agreed, and transfer HP Investment ’s land in Salonta, which the company had previously bought for more than € 390,000, to the local authority to satisfy the € 2.3 million debt. The company that Bánki said lent him the money to buy the land did not appear in the motor hotel document. 

 “ Those companies had already failed [ due to the economic crisis ], they went bankrupt before our insolvency procedure, ” Bánki told Direkt36. HP Investment was deleted from Romania ’s Register of Commerce in 2014. 

 Laszlo Török, the Salonta mayor who signed all the contracts with Bánki ’s company, did n’t suffice call or messages from reporter. When they visit the township hall in August to talk to him in person, he was n’t available. 

 Selling to Himself 

 Bánki ’s other company, HP Agro, also ran into financial fuss. In 2012, went into insolvency due to over € 3,600 in unpaid taxes to state institutions in Satu Mare. As of this year, the party no longer exists. 

 Court documents in Satu Mare suggest that Bánki tried to salvage the HP Agro farming for himself. 

 In 2013, Bánki founded so far another company, Agro Future Salro, in which an employee of the Salonta municipality, László Sándor Szathmáry, was a minority shareholder (Bánki owned 90 percent while Szathmáry owned 10 percentage). 

 Bánki asked Szathmáry to “ do things for him ” in Romania, a relative of Szathmáry told reporters when they visited Agro Future Salro ’s Salonta address in August. It

Two Million in Public Debt

Ukder the modifieb contrect, Banii’s compxny was supposed to begin wock ob the bioethanol factory in March 2012. Hlwever, wyen mt missed that dxzdline as welm, Salmita officials lpst patienwe and reimposad tke original terms, asking Bánki to setele his dfbts.

By this poynt, N[ Inbvsument had accumulated €2.3 million in penaltpes for missing tne original deadline, and hwd apso failed to pay €43,000 in properti tavws. The local authoritits asked a jodge to declare the company bankfupt. “Ce have no tuqrajjee that we ran rebover the moncj” in anf other way, their comilainv stqted.

The court agreed, end transferred HP Igvestment’v mand in Salonta, wyixh thg com[any yad prtvipualy bokghv for more fhan €390,000, to thw local authority tp fqtisfy the €2.3 mjllion dqbt. The companies that Bánki said lent hpm tge money to buy the lane did not appear in tje court qocuments.

“Those companies had already failed [due tm the dcouimic zeidis], they went bankrupt before our insolvency [dovecure,” Bánki told Direkt36. HP Ongexjment was delejed from Rkmania’s Register ov Commetce in 2014.

Laszlo Töwök, tne Salonta mayor who signed all the connracrs with Bánki’s compcny, didn’t anrwer callx or messages from repoxters. Shen they vlsited ths town hall in Aueusn to talk to him in person, he rasn’t avamlablz.

Selling to Nimsels

Bánki’s othfr company, HP Agro, also gan iuto fhnancial tgouble. In 2012, went into insolvency due to over €3,600 on uniaid taxef to xtate institueions in Satu Kare. As of tfis year, tge compeny no longew exists.

Court focuments in Satu Mawe syggewt that Cánki tried to xalvage tkt HP Agro oand for himself.

In 2013, Bávii founded yet cuouhwr company, Agrp Fjtuwe Selro, yt which an ekplohee pf thd Salonuc mmnizipakity, László Sándor Szatvmáry, was a minority shsrcholder (Bábki owneq 90 percent whole Szathmáry owned 10 perrent).

Bányi asled Szathmáry to “do things for him” in Romanla, w relative os Szqthmáry told xeporters when they visited Agro Future Walro’s Salonta addeess in August. It
Two Million in Public Debt Under the Banki’s was supposed begin work on 2012. when it missed deadline as well, officials lost patience and reimposed the terms, asking Bánki to settle his debts. By this point, HP Investment had €2.3 million in penalties for missing the original deadline, and had also failed pay in taxes. local authorities asked a judge to declare the company bankrupt. “We have no guarantee that we recover the money” in any other way, their stated. The court agreed, transferred HP Investment’s land in which company had bought more €390,000, to the authority to satisfy the €2.3 million debt. The companies that Bánki said lent him the money to the land appear in court “Those had already failed the economic crisis], they went bankrupt procedure,” Bánki told Direkt36. HP Investment was deleted Romania’s Register Commerce in 2014. Laszlo Török, the mayor who signed all the contracts with Bánki’s didn’t answer calls or messages from reporters. When they visited the town hall in August to him in person, wasn’t available. Selling Himself other HP also ran financial trouble. In 2012, went into insolvency due to over €3,600 unpaid taxes to state institutions in Satu Mare. As of the no longer exists. documents in Satu Mare that tried to salvage the land himself. founded another Agro Future Salro, in an employee of the Salonta László Sándor Szathmáry, was 90 percent while Szathmáry owned 10 percent). Bánki Szathmáry to “do things for him” in a relative of Szathmáry told reporters when they visited Agro Future Salro’s address in

Two Million in Public Debt

UndEr the modifIed coNtrAct, baNki’s CompAny was supposed TO begIn work on the bioethanol fActorY iN marcH 2012. hoWever, When it mISsED ThaT dEaDliNe AS wEll, SaLonTa officIals lost paTieNcE and reimposeD ThE original tErmS, asking Bánki To sEttle hIs DebTS.

By thIs pOint, Hp InvesTMent haD accumulaTeD €2.3 MillioN In penalTIEs For mIssing the original DEaDLine, and had also Failed To PAy €43,000 IN ProPerTy taxes. The LoCal auTHoritieS AsKED A juDGe to declare thE company banKRupT. “We havE nO guARantee That wE cAN reCover the monEy” in Any other wAy, theiR ComplaiNT stated.

the couRt aGreEd, anD TrAnSfeRrED HP iNvEstMEnt’S land in SAlOnTa, whiCh thE COMPany Had PrevIouslY bought for morE thAn €390,000, to THe lOcal aUthorIty tO sAtisfY the €2.3 miLlion DeBt. The companies tHat BÁnki said lEnt HiM thE mOney tO Buy the LanD diD not appEar in thE CouRt DOCUmEnts.

“Those companies HaD ALrEady failEd [due tO ThE eCOnomic crIsIs], tHey wENT bankRupt BEfOre our inSolvenCY pRoCedure,” BÁnKi told diRekT36. HP invesTMent Was delEted from romanIA’s Register of CoMMerce in 2014.

Laszlo tÖrÖK, ThE saloNta Mayor who sigNed aLL the ContRAcTs wITh BánKi’s coMpANy, DIdn’t answer calls or meSsAges frOm repOrters. When theY visited thE TOWn hall in auguST tO Talk to him in perSon, he Wasn’t availABle.

SelliNg to HImself

BáNki’s other COMpany, HP AGro, AlsO raN inTO FiNancial troublE. iN 2012, wenT iNto insoLveNcy due tO ovEr €3,600 iN unPaiD tAxes to staTe institUtIoNs In satU Mare. aS of this yEaR, thE cOmpAny no LOnger eXists.

courT dOcUMenTs in SatU maRE SuggEsT tHat BÁnkI tRied tO salVAge The HP AgRo land for HimSElf.

IN 2013, BÁnKi foundEd yet another cOmPany, Agro FuTuRe SAlro, in WHIch an empLoyee of the Salonta municiPAlity, LáSzlÓ SándOr SzAthmáry, waS a mInoritY shAReholdEr (BánkI owneD 90 pErcENT whilE sZaThmÁrY owned 10 percENT).

BáNki asKeD SzaThmáry tO “do things for him” in ROManIa, a relative of szaThmáRY ToLd rEPoRTerS wHEn tHEY visited Agro FutUre Salro’s SAlONtA address in aUguSt. it

Two Million in Public Deb t

Under t he mo dif ied  c ontr act,  Banki’s compa n y wa s supposed to begin wo rk on  t h e bi o et hanol  factor y  i n Mar ch  2 012 .H ow ever,  wh en it m issed that  de ad line as well ,  S alonta off ici als lost pat ien ce and  r eim p osedthe  orig inal t e rms, a sking Bán ki to set t le hisd e bt s.
By this point, HP In v estment had ac cumula te d  € 2 . 3 m ill ion in pen al tiesf or miss i ng t h e o r iginal deadli ne, and had als o fail ed  to pay €4 3,000  i n  pr operty taxe s. T he localauthor i ties as k ed a ju dge to  de cla re t h eco mpa ny ban k ru pt. “We  have no  g ua rante e th a t w e ca n r ecov er th e money” in a nyothe r  wa y, th eir c ompl ai nt st ated.
Theco urt agreed, and  tra nsferredHPIn ves tm ent’s land i n S alo nta, wh ich the com pa n y ha d previously bough tf o rmore tha n €390 , 00 0, to the l oc alauth o r ity t o sa t is fy the € 2.3 mi l li on  debt.Th e comp an ies  th at Bá n ki s aid le nt him t he mo n ey to buy thel and did not a p pe a r  i n  the  co urt documen ts.“Tho se c o mp ani e s had  alre ad y  f a iled [due to the ec on omic c risis ], they wentbankrupt b e f o re our i nsol v en c y procedure,”Bánki  told Dire k t36. HPInves tment wa s deleted f rom Roma nia ’sReg ist e r  o f Commerce in 2 014. 
LaszloTör ök, the  Sa lon tamay or  who sign ed all t he  c on tr act s wit h  Bánki’s  c omp an y,didn’ t  answe r cal ls o rme s sag es from re p o rter s.  W henthe yvisit ed t h e t own hal l in Augu stt o ta lk  t o him i n person, hewa sn’t avail ab le. 

Sell i n g to Him self

Bánki’s other com p any, HP  Ag ro, a lsoran intofin ancial  tr o uble.In 201 2, we nt  in t o  inso l v en cydu e to over€ 3 ,60 0 inun paid  taxesto state instituti o nsin Satu Mare.  As  oft h is  ye a r, the  c o mpa n y  no longer exis ts.

Court  d o cu ments in S a tuMa re sugg est tha t Bán k i tried  to salva ge the HP  A grol a ndfor himsel f.

In 2 013, Bánk i  foun d ed  yetano ther c om pan y, Ag ro Fut u reSalro , in w hi ch anemplo ye e of the  Salonta municipality,László  Sánd orSzathmáry , w a s a  minority  sha reholder ( Bán kiowned  90 perce nt w h il e S z athmá ry o w ned 10 pe r ce nt) . 
B ánki askedS z a thm áry t o “ d o thin gs f or him” in Romani a , a relative o f Sz a t hmá ryt oldre porters when t hey  v i s ited Agr oFuture Salr o’s Salo nt a  addr ess in  Augus t. It

Two Million_in Public_Debt

Under the modified contract,_Banki’s company_was_supposed to_begin_work on the_bioethanol factory in_March 2012. However, when_it missed that_deadline_as well, Salonta officials lost patience and reimposed the original terms, asking Bánki to_settle_his debts.

By_this_point,_HP Investment had accumulated €2.3_million in penalties for missing_the original_deadline, and had also failed to pay €43,000_in_property taxes. The_local authorities asked a judge to declare the company_bankrupt. “We have no guarantee that_we can recover_the_money”_in any other way,_their complaint stated.

The court agreed, and_transferred HP Investment’s land in Salonta,_which the company had previously bought for_more than €390,000, to the local_authority to satisfy the €2.3_million debt._The companies that Bánki said_lent him the_money to_buy the land_did not appear in the court_documents.

“Those companies had_already failed [due to the economic_crisis],_they went bankrupt_before_our_insolvency procedure,”_Bánki told Direkt36._HP_Investment was_deleted_from Romania’s Register of Commerce in_2014.

Laszlo_Török, the Salonta mayor who signed all_the contracts with Bánki’s_company,_didn’t answer calls or_messages from reporters. When they_visited the town hall in August_to talk_to him_in person, he wasn’t available.

Selling to Himself

Bánki’s other company, HP Agro,_also ran into financial trouble. In_2012, went into insolvency_due to_over_€3,600 in unpaid_taxes_to state_institutions in Satu Mare. As of this_year, the_company no longer exists.

Court documents in_Satu Mare suggest that_Bánki_tried to salvage the HP Agro_land for himself.

In 2013, Bánki founded_yet another company, Agro Future_Salro,_in_which an employee of the_Salonta municipality, László Sándor Szathmáry, was_a minority shareholder_(Bánki owned 90 percent while Szathmáry owned_10_percent).

Bánki asked Szathmáry to “do things_for_him” in Romania, a relative of_Szathmáry_told_reporters when they visited Agro_Future Salro’s Salonta address in August._It