World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Hungary recovers $19.5 million in cash in probe of former minister
Hungarian investigators recovered nearly $19.5 million in hidden cash during a bribery investigation.
They found it in forests, farm buildings, warehouses, a home and a safe in several parts of Hungary, including Budapest.
The investigation concerns Miklos Sesztak, who was development minister from 2014 to 2018 under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
He is suspected of taking more than $37.2 million in bribes and kickbacks connected to state bus purchases and government construction projects, and denies wrongdoing.
The cash was deposited with the state treasury after 12 employees spent eight hours counting it.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s government is investigating suspected corruption from Orban’s 16 years in power, after Magyar’s party won the April election.
The probe is part of a wider anti-corruption drive, and investigators are continuing separate cases involving other former officials.
Hungarian authorities recovered cash worth about $19.5 million during a corruption investigation involving former development minister Miklos Sesztak.
The cash was found buried in forests and hidden in buildings and a safe during searches on November 12 and 13.
Sesztak, who served from 2014 to 2018, is suspected of taking bribes and kickbacks linked to state bus purchases and construction projects.
He has denied wrongdoing and was taken into custody in September.
Prime Minister Peter Magyar said the recovery marked the end of what he called the “Fidesz-KDNP mafia,” while former Prime Minister Viktor Orban has called the investigations political persecution.
- Who
- Hungarian authorities recovered the cash while investigating former development minister Miklos Sesztak.
- What
- They found cash worth about $19.5 million. Sesztak is suspected of receiving bribes and kickbacks, which he denies.
- When
- Searches took place on November 12 and 13, 2026.
- Where
- In Budapest and three other parts of Hungary, including forests, farm buildings, warehouses and a residential property.
- Why
- The searches were part of criminal proceedings over suspected bribery and kickbacks connected to state bus purchases and government construction projects.
Hungary’s government under Peter Magyar
Viktor Orban and Fidesz
Investigations
Hungary’s government under Peter Magyar
Magyar has pledged to investigate alleged corruption and recover misused public assets.
Viktor Orban and Fidesz
Orban has denounced investigations targeting his inner circle as political persecution.
Meaning of recovery
Hungary’s government under Peter Magyar
Magyar said the discovery marked the end of what he called the “Fidesz-KDNP mafia.
Viktor Orban and Fidesz
Orban has said the investigations are aimed at forcing him out of politics.
Peter Magyar’s Tisza party defeated Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party, ending Orban’s 16 years in power.
Miklos Sesztak was taken into custody in connection with the investigation.
Investigators searched locations in Budapest and three other parts of Hungary and found hidden cash.
The recovery office said the cash had been deposited with the Hungarian State Treasury.
- Recovered cash
- About $19.5 million
- Search dates
- November 12 and 13, 2026
- Cash found
- 5,071,632,000 forints, €2,658,350 and US$1,257,100
- Counting
- 12 Treasury employees spent eight hours using five counting machines
- Sesztak’s ministerial tenure
- Development minister from 2014 to 2018
- Suspected bribes and kickbacks
- More than $37.2 million
5 sources
Hungarian authorities uncover $20m during probe of Orbán-era minister
Nearly $20m found in Hungary's forests, buildings amid corruption probe
Hungary recovers US$20 million in cash, some buried in forests, in ex-minister bribery probe
Hungary seizes $19.5m in cash found buried in forests amid graft inquiry
Hungary recovers $19.5 million in hidden cash during investigation of Orbán-era minister
What people are saying
As of today, Viktor Orbán is a proven mafia boss. A fallen mafia boss. And Fidesz is a criminal organization.
This officially marks the end of the Fidesz-KDNP mafia!
large quantities of cash buried in forests, concealed in agricultural buildings, warehouses and a residential property, and stored in a high-value safe in a hidden location,
Upon receipt, 12 Treasury employees spent 8 hours counting the money using 5 counting machines.