Leading Romanian politician jailed over corruption

The head of Romania's ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), Liviu Dragnea, has been jailed for corruption after his attempts to appeal an earlier conviction failed.

Romania's Supreme Court upheld on Monday a three-and-a-half year prison sentence against Dragnea.

The politician, 56, was found guilty last year of having two party members paid by a state agency for fake jobs, BBC News reports.

The ruling came as his PSD suffered huge losses at the European elections.

Prosecutors said that by using his influence as a government official, Dragnea procured fake jobs at a child protection agency for two women working for his party.

The women admitted to working for the party while receiving salaries from the agency.

Dragnea, who denies any wrongdoing, appealed the initial verdict and was allowed to remain free.