U.S. Sanctions Hungarian PM's top aide in corruption crackdown

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department, stated that as a government official and as the minister overseeing Orban's cabinet, Rogan developed strategies to dominate key sectors of Hungary's economy. Miller emphasized that Rogan was instrumental in establishing a system that prioritized his and his party's interests over the well-being of the Hungarian population.

The spokesperson noted that Rogan's actions exemplify a wider culture of impunity in Hungary, where oligarchs and undemocratic actors have taken control of significant state institutions.

The imposed sanctions are another move by the current U.S. administration toward Hungarian officials, although Rogan is the closest official to the Hungarian Prime Minister to face restrictions. Besides being the head of the prime minister's cabinet, he also controls a range of other state agencies.

The sanctions were imposed under the so-called Global Magnitsky Act, which allows for punishment for corruption and human rights violations. Tuesday's action resulted in a ban on entering and freezing Rogan's assets in the U.S. and American banks.

At a press conference on Tuesday, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Budapest, David Pressman, described Rogan as the key architect, operator, and beneficiary of the corruption system. He accused the minister of using his position to enrich himself and influential party members.

Pressman says high-ranking Hungarian government officials have exploited their positions for too long to enrich themselves and their families, transferring significant funds to private accounts.

In a statement issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, it was noted that Hungary recently lost 1 billion euros (approximately 1.5 billion Canadian dollars) in funds from the European Union due to a lack of action on corruption in the public procurement system.