|
[Feb 10] Oana Petrovschi and Octavian Belu hearings
Both former gymnast Oana Petrovschi and her former coach were questioned
today at the Public Attorney office in Bucharest.
Belu have admitted last week (during Oana vs.RGF and Belu trial)
that he did asked girls to pay him the 30% "gift tax"
on the prizes from private contests. This, unexpected by many, but
honest admitting of true, bring troubles to Belu, who is now under
preliminary investigations on possible criminal charges.
No formal accusations were made (yet) and seems
that everybody want the most "liberal"solution of the
case, Belu seemed to be as a victim of bad management of RGF and
(the former management of) ROC, who didn't find a better (and legal)
solution to award the B&B couple, rather than look in opposite
direction for years, even after the three years ago press reports
about the "gift tax" imposed to girls.
Belu didn't make any statements after the (late evening in Bucharest)
hearings-which is a very smart move from him, after many months
of "big mouth" talking of him on this subject."Silent
is Gold-made"-an old Romanian saying.
By contrary, Oana Petrovschi seems to have developed
a taste for media, especially TV cameras which likes her (and/ or
the opposite?). Before going to hearings, Oana told to press that
Belu didn't asked her specifically for the money, but after each
contest he put her under pressure, by remembering her (very often)
that "she owes to him" (meaning she have to pay him, too,
from the prizes she get).For the first time, Oana mention also the
"moral damages" (never spoke before about this), saying
"didn't asked for more money-as moral compensations- because
I didn't have had the needed money for the Court taxes.But we may
ask for them, too."
The Public Attorney office have announced that other
gymnasts from the Olympic Team will be invited to make official
statements regarding the "30 % gift tax".In the end, both
Oana Petrovschi and Octavian Belu will be invited in the same time
in front of the Public Attorney to make statements and have a direct
confrontation.
ARDAF insurance company have sent yesterday to the
press a "public appeal to Oana" to negotiate a closure
of the case, with ARDAF promising to pay for Oana medical expense
in exchange for dropping the suit. Dana Pavelescu, Oana's lawyer,
told to the press today that she have "seriously doubts"
about "the seriousness of their intentions", because the
details of the "offer"are "at least dubious: they
ask us to pay for the costs and they promise to reimburse the money;
if we have had the money, we could already did the medical treatment
and only later start the suit; but we didn't money for that and
we feel like ARDAF 'offer' is not a very serious one"-Dana
Pavelescu said.
...First offer is, by far, not the best achievable,
so we (all) can only hope they may find a solution. If ARDAF (really)
have the money and goodwill, if Oana (really) want to solve sooner
her health problems and RGF (really) want to repair past mistakes,
than we can only ask ourselves...where is the problem?
 The
real, big surprise of the day was to see Oana Petrovschi being the
guest of "Prosport" -the sport tabloid which have published
the top less photos of Oana.
Oana was on their live chat on late evening, for almost an hour,
after the public attorney hearings. From the fans questions, more
interesting were those like "How come that you went to the
tabloid who did that to you?..."(about the tabloid publishing
the stolen photos, even after Oana and her lawyer told them one
day before they are stolen photos and may suit them). Oana's answer
was like "I don't want to have more "enemies"any
more, especially from the press". Maybe, but may get (almost
certain) less respect from the others, too.
For News Archive, click here...
Photo
credits, top left:
Nadia Comaneci, the first 10 in gym history, Montreal 1976,©A.P.photo;
Romanian Team, Silver Medal at 2003 World Gymnastics Championships
Marius Urzica; Catalina Ponor, Star of 2004 Olympics
|
