text: Elena Udrea, pictured, is accused of taking bribes and abusing her position in government . A glamorous Romanian politician who finished fourth in the country's presidential election has been charged with accepting bribes and abusing her power while a government minister by anti-corruption police. Elena Udrea, 41, was investigated over claims during her time as the country's tourism minister that she had accepted bribes worth an estimated £1.3 million. She was indicted along with seven other people, including the country's former economy minister Ion Ariton, who was charged with abuse of power. Prosecutors in Bucharest revealed details of the investigation. Romania is regarded as one of the most corrupt countries in the European Union. Udrea, who is a lawyer, has strenuously denied the claims against her. She is a close ally of former president Traian Basescu. Prosecutors allege that Udrea and a number of her associates sought money from private firms in exchange for guarantees that they would be paid promptly for public projects. The centrist politician is accused of accepting cash in Romanian leu as well as euros worth an estimated £1.3 million. She claims the charges against her are politically motivated and accuses the anti-corruption prosecution agency of being linked to the secret service. Recent corruption cases have shown mayors, city councillors as well as other politicians requiring a kick-back to secure lucrative contracts. Prosecutors claim that Udrea used some of the cash to finance the political party she was involved with. It is also claimed that Udrea used 8.1 million leu, worth £1.3 million of money belonging to a regional development ministry to fund a private boxing event under the pretext of buying tourism advertising for Romania. Ariton, who is now a senator, is accused of convincing ten state-owned companies to sponsor the private event for 1.7 million leu, worth £276,000. Under Romanian law, state-owned industries are not allowed to sponsor private events. Ariton also denies any wrongdoing. Udrea was the minister of tourism between 2008 and 2009 and also the minister of regional development and tourism between 2009 and 2012. In her last position, she administered a yearly budget of £2.37 billion. One-time Romanian presidential candidate Elena Udrea, pictured, is accused of taking bribes . The 41-year-old  former tourism minister is also accused of abusing her position in government . Udrea, centre, has strongly denied any wrongdoing and accuses anti-corruption officials of being biased .
target: Elena Udrea, 41, is accused of abusing her position in government .
  Udrea was a member of the Romanian government for four years until 2012 .
  Prosecutors claim she accepted bribes worth an estimated £1.3 million .
  The former presidential candidate strongly denies all of the allegations .