The Presidential Administration classified the $3.39 million lobbying contract with Eversheds

The Presidential Administration classified as a state secret the strategic consulting and lobbying contract signed on May 21, 2026, with the U.S. firm Eversheds Sutherland, worth up to $3.39 million. Documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), however, provide details about the contract, payments, consultants and activities carried out for Romania in Washington.

According to documents analyzed by Libertatea, the agreement was set to run for six months. By June 30, the Presidential Administration had allegedly paid two installments of $445,000 and $400,000, plus expenses exceeding $5,600. Eversheds subcontracted Republican consultants close to Donald Trump, including Jason Miller, Matthew Schlapp, Christopher Putala and the firm Guidepost Strategies.

Logs filed in the United States indicate discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, officials from the National Security Council and the U.S. ambassador to Bucharest. The efforts focused on keeping U.S. troops in Romania, energy investments and infrastructure financing. The article also points to a possible conflict of interest: the same firm provided legal assistance in a transaction involving the sale of the Artrom Steel Tubes plants to Tenaris. Cotroceni refused to disclose the contract and deliverables, citing an emergency procedure based on a decision by the Supreme Council of National Defense.