Harvard University, through an investment subsidiary, owns Phemus Corporation, which owns 99 percent of Scolopax. According to Rise Project, an OCCRP partner, days after Secu was arrested, Scolopax posted fliers across Romania advertising the sale of the timberland.
Authorities say Secu purchased timberland on behalf of Harvard at inflated prices in exchange for bribes of more than US$1.3 million, in addition to gifts including a trip to the Canary Islands and a new Chrysler Sebring car.
According to the Harvard Crimson, Harvard’s student-run newspaper, Harvard spokesperson Kevin Galvin says the sale is not connected to recent developments.
“This transaction is part of a process that started in November of 2013, prior to the recent reports in the media,” Galvin wrote Wednesday night. “The transaction does not affect our commitment in Romania, but because of the ongoing transaction process, we are not in a position to comment any further on this matter.”
Galvin says Secu’s relationship with Harvard ended in 2012, according to the Harvard Crimson. Romanian prosecutors say the alleged crimes took place between 2007-2009.
According to Rise Project, Romanian authorities are investigating Scolopax for similar schemes connected to Secu and his business associates across the country.
Scolopax is trying to sell approximately 32 thousand hectares of timberland located in 21 Romanian counties.
