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Romania: EPPO charges seven individuals and two companies for misuse of agricultural funds
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Timisoara (Romania) has accused seven individuals and two companies of subsidy fraud and forgery, involving three projects regarding the development of fruit harvesting and processing, with a value of over €1.4 million.
According to the investigation, between February 2019 and June 2024, the suspects, including a mayor, successfully applied in the name of two companies for three projects financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). They allegedly falsified documents regarding the information of the beneficiary of the projects and the employees of the companies to proof their eligibility to apply for the projects.
In the early stages of the investigation, a lawyer, who is also a suspect in this investigation, encouraged certain witnesses to provide false statements, helping the main suspects and obstructing the investigation.
The European Delegated Prosecutor in charge of the investigation ordered the detention of the seven suspects and he will request their pre-trial detention.
EPPO has seized buildings, lands and money belonging to the suspects.
The investigation and searches counted on the support of the EPPO Support Structure in Romania: Timisoara and Iasi EPPO Offices (Structura de sprijin a procurorilor europeni delegati în Romania – Birourile Teritoriale Timisoara si Iasi), Timis County Police Inspectorate – Economic Crime Investigation Service (Inspectoratul de Politie Judetean Timis – Serviciul de investigare a criminalit?tii economice), Special Operations Brigade Timisoara (Brigada de Operatiuni Speciale Timis), Organised Crime Brigade Timisoara (Brigada de combatere a criminalit?tii organizate Timisoara) and the Mobile Group of Gendarmes Timisoara (Gruparea mobile de jandarmi Timisoara).
The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It?is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU. (Source:https://www.eppo.europa.eu/)