Flamboyant Romanian mayor, once wore Nazi uniform, quits ruling party after arrest for bribes

By The Associated Press

BUCHAREST, Romania – A former Romanian mayor who once dressed in a Nazi uniform at a fashion show has quit the ruling party weeks after he was arrested and charged with taking bribes.

Radu Mazare said Wednesday he was quitting the ruling Social Democratic Party, days after he resigned as mayor of the Black Sea port of Constanta, a post he held since 2000.

Prosecutors say Mazare received 9 million euros ($9.8 million) in bribes in exchange for issuing permits and awarding contracts to refurbish the city. He was arrested on April 2.

The former journalist, who is famous for his flamboyant appearances, has frequently dressed as Che Guevara, the Cuban revolutionary. Mazare apologized to Jewish groups after wearing the Nazi uniform at a fashion show in 2009.

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