The financial audit report for 2023 debunks the myth of transparency and “Western-style management” in the USR-led administration.
50 Irregularities and €1.42 Million in Financial Errors
The report by the Romanian Court of Accounts on the budget execution of Timișoara City Hall for 2023 reveals over 50 breaches of legality and regularity. The total estimated value of financial damages and direct-impact irregularities amounts to approximately €1.42 million (7,079,000 lei).
Out of this amount, the Court of Accounts ordered the recovery and/or correction of about €992,000 (4,962,000 lei), representing confirmed damages or unjustified expenses.
Payments Without Supporting Documents and Exceeded Contracts
Among the most serious findings of the auditors:
- Unjustified payments totaling around €714,000 (3,568,000 lei) were made without complete supporting documents or beyond the agreed contractual values.
“Payments were made without supporting documentation or based on unverified work reports, exceeding the amounts agreed in the contracts.” — Court of Accounts Report, p. 28
- Consultancy and legal service expenses worth approximately €78,000 (389,000 lei) were neither legally substantiated nor approved by the Local Council in accordance with applicable law.
“The acquisition of external legal services was not justified by a lack of internal capacity and was not approved by council resolution.” — Report, p. 35
Municipal Asset Inventory Failed Again
Although legally required every year, the general inventory of public and private municipal assets was not completed on time in 2023. This issue had already been highlighted in the 2021 and 2022 reports.
“The City Hall did not present complete records of patrimonial assets. The lack of such documentation affects the accuracy of financial reporting.” — Report, p. 39
Nearly €190,000 in Missed Revenues
The city improperly recorded revenues from local taxes and fees. According to the Court of Accounts, about €190,000(946,000 lei) represents amounts either not collected or improperly registered, affecting the city’s overall budget.
Repeated Irregularities: Ordered Measures Not Implemented
Although the Court of Accounts had already identified these issues in the 2021 and 2022 audits, the Fritz administration failed to correct them. In fact, some issues worsened.
“Previously ordered measures were not fully implemented and are reiterated in the current report.” — Report, p. 7
VEZI AICI Sinteza principalelor constatări, împărțite pe teme-cheie:
Who Is Responsible? No One Identified.
The Court of Accounts explicitly notes that no disciplinary measures were taken, the prejudiced amounts were not recovered, and internal control systems are either missing or non-functional.
“The institution did not issue recovery decisions and did not identify those responsible for the damages.” — Report, p. 43
Conclusion: Governance Without Control, Promises Without Substance
In 2020, Dominic Fritz promised a city administration that would be “transparent, digitalized, and rigorous.” Four years later, the Court of Accounts reveals not just inefficiency, but a dangerous pattern of managerial incompetence and tolerance of serious violations.
Documents and Sources:
- Romanian Court of Accounts – Timiș Chamber of Accounts, Financial Audit Report for UATM Timișoara, fiscal year 2023, published March 2025
- Extracts from pages 7–49 of the official report
- Fiscal Code and Law No. 273/2006 on local public finances
- Government Decision No. 286/2011 on inventory of assets and liabilities
