Olteanu resigned in early August following his arrest on allegations he had accepted the bribe from former media tycoon Sorin Ovidiu Vantu in order to influence then Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu into appointing journalist Liviu Mihaiu as governor of the Danube Delta, the least developed wetland region in continental Europe.
Prosecutors say Olteanu received the bribe between July and November 2008 during his time as president of the Chamber of Deputies.
News reports said that Vantu paid the bribe as part of his plan to turn part of the delta into an exclusive tourist destination.
According to Romania Insider, Olteanu admitted to meeting with the businessman, but denied he took any money. He reportedly also admitted to discussing Mihaiu as a candidate for the governor post with the prime minister, but said he did so of his own volition.
