(Luxembourg, 26 January 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) has secured a conviction at the Sofia City Court against a company manager, following a plea agreement, in an investigation into subsidy fraud involving funds from the European Social Fund (ESF) and national co-financing, for a total amount of €66 750.
The Sofia City Court sentenced the manager to eleven months of imprisonment, suspended with a probationary period of three years, as well as a fine of over €500 (BGN 1 000). The verdict is final and not subject to appeal.
As previously reported, the fraud concerned the submission of false information by the manager of the company and an accomplice acting as a project manager, to the Bulgarian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy to fraudulently obtain funding intended to support sustainable employment opportunities.
In 2021, the company signed a contract with the Bulgarian Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in its capacity as Managing Authority of the Human Resources Development Operational Programme 2014-2020 with the goal of providing people looking to enter or re-enter the work force job opportunities, professional training, and qualifications.
However, the investigation revealed that, in 2021 and 2022, numerous false signatures and falsified employment contracts were produced to create the appearance that the project’s objectives were being met. These documents were then submitted as part of the financial and technical reports required for final payment.
The court proceedings now continue against the second defendant, who participated in the commission of the crime in the capacity of "project manager".
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.