Hungarian authorities discovered almost $20 million in cash in the bribery investigation of Miklos Sestak, a former minister in Viktor Orban's government. Some of this money was buried in forests or hidden in farm buildings and warehouses.
According to Finance Minister Andraš Kerman, the money includes 5.07 billion forints ($15.33 million), 2.66 million euros ($2.93 million) and $1.26 million, and 12 state treasury employees spent eight hours with five banknote counting machines to count the amounts.
Sestek, who was the Minister of Urban Development from 2014 to 2018, denied his actions. The lawyer of this former minister told the local media that the confiscated money does not belong to Sestec and there are other suspects in the bribery case.
Magyar ousted Orban in April elections after 16 years in power. He promised to mend relations with the European Union, damaged by years of conflict under Orban, and to launch a massive campaign against corruption allegations.