Former Hungarian Minister Investigated as Authorities Seize Nearly $20 Million in Cash

Seszták, who served as Hungary’s Minister of National Development during part of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16-year period in power, is accused of accepting bribes linked to a scheme involving the state transport sector. He has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.

The discovery comes as the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar intensifies its anti-corruption campaign following his landslide election victory in April.

According to Hungary’s National Asset Recovery and Protection Office (NVVH), investigators conducted a two-day operation in multiple locations across the country, uncovering large sums of hidden cash stored in secluded and unusual locations.

Authorities said the seized assets included:

• 5,071,632,000 Hungarian forints
• €2,658,350
• US$1,257,100

The combined value of the recovered funds is estimated at approximately US$19.5 million.

Investigators reported finding bundles of banknotes concealed in safes, agricultural buildings, warehouses, residential properties, and woodland areas.

The recovered money has been transferred to the Hungarian State Treasury, according to officials.

Prime Minister Péter Magyar hailed the operation as a significant milestone in his administration’s crackdown on corruption.

Following the discovery, Magyar described the development as the end of the country’s so-called:

“Mafia.”

The NVVH, established by the new government to investigate allegations of corruption during the Orbán era, is leading what the administration has labelled “Operation Purgatory.”

Magyar campaigned on promises of political reform, transparency, and what he termed “regime change,” pledging to dismantle networks of corruption and review decisions made during previous administrations.

The investigation into Seszták remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet indicated whether additional charges or arrests are expected.