Hungary Files Criminal Complaint Over Viktor Orban Social Media Spending

The government of Hungary filed a criminal complaint on Tuesday alleging the abuse of office and mismanagement of public funds used for the social media communications of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The complaint, initiated by the office of Peter Magyar, the current Prime Minister, follows a review of previous government contracts.

The investigation focuses on a 2022 contract with Triton Communications, a firm owned by Fanny Kaminski, who previously served as a press adviser to Orban. The government asserts that Triton Communications received 4.23 billion forints, roughly 11 million euros, over a 44-month period for content production and social media monitoring. Officials allege that the billing rates for these services were three times higher than international market prices.

Fanny Kaminski has denied the allegations, stating that her company completed all assigned tasks and can provide an accounting of the work performed.