(Luxembourg, 30 June 2025) – The Regional Court in Ústí nad Labem (Czechia) has convicted the director of a care facility for people with disabilities of subsidy fraud, related to financial support intended for the centre’s service users, following an indictment filed by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Liberec.
In 2022, the defendant, in her capacity as director of a care facility in the region of Ústí nad Labem, acquired two electric vehicles, financed through a subsidy from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The subsidy, amounting to approximately €100 000, was intended exclusively for vehicles serving the needs of the centre’s service users.
During the court proceedings, it was proved that the defendant purchased and used both vehicles for personal purposes, thereby committing the criminal offences of subsidy fraud and damaging the financial interests of the EU.
The court found the defendant guilty and imposed a financial penalty of approximately €32 000.
This is a first court decision, still subject to appeal.
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.