Elena Lasconi was heard by DIICOT in the scandal of the doctored photographs. Ponta: "Lasconi was used as a fool."

Elena Lasconi and Victor Ponta, former candidates in the 2025 presidential elections, commented for Cotidianul on the scandal of the photographs suggesting a secret meeting between Nicușor Dan, Ponta, and Florian Coldea, who is being investigated by DIICOT. Lasconi stated that she gained nothing from the publication of the four photographs and that she was present at DIICOT to cooperate with the authorities. She emphasized that the decision to make the photographs public was collective, but distanced herself from the speculations in the press. Victor Ponta claimed that Lasconi was used by trusted individuals of hers and that the purpose was to shift voters from Lasconi to Nicușor Dan. The scandal erupted on May 1, 2025, just three days before the first round of elections, when Lasconi published the photographs, and both Ponta and Dan filed complaints. Ponta vehemently denied the meetings, swearing on the Bible that he had no connection with Coldea. It was also speculated that actor Răzvan Florin Bratu played the role of Nicușor Dan in these images, admitting that he was questioned by DIICOT.