Romania’s outgoing PM appears at court for corruption trial

A protester screams holding a paper that reads “Corruption has killed – Romania wake up” back-dropped by the communist era built House of the People, now housing the Romanian parliament during a rally joined by thirty-five thousand people, according to local media quoting the Romanian Gendarmerie, calling for early elections, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015. Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced the resignation of his government Wednesday following huge protests the day before in the wake of a nightclub fire that killed more than 30 people. AP

BUCHAREST, Romania — Romania’s outgoing prime minister has appeared at the high court where he’s on trial for tax evasion, money laundering, conflict of interest and making false statements.

Victor Ponta arrived at the High Court for Cassation and Justice Friday, declining comment saying he was now “a private citizen.”

READ: Romanian PM quits over club blaze, but protesters unsatisfied

Ponta and his Cabinet resigned Wednesday after mass protests following a nightclub fire that killed more than 30. Protesters have staged mass rallies demanding better governance.

The charges Ponta faces refer to a period when he was working as a lawyer. He denies wrongdoing.

Prosecutors say Ponta, who is still a lawmaker, forged expense claims worth at least 181,000 lei ($45,000) from the law firm of political ally. Prosecutors say he pretended he worked as a lawyer to justify getting money from the firm.