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(Luxembourg, 31 October 2024) – Today, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Zlín (Czechia) brought charges against one individual and one association for fraudulently obtaining €200 000 (CZK 5 million) in EU funds for the provision of childcare services.
According to the investigation, the manager of an association dedicated to providing childcare in the Moravian region presented false statements, in order to obtain grants from the European Social Fund (ESF) to expand the services and improve employment conditions for families with children. Based on the evidence, the manager falsified the financial situation of the association, by concealing debts to the national authorities.
In order to recover the damage to the EU and the Czech national budget, Czechia’s Police (Policie České republiky – Krajské ředitelství policie Olomouckého kraje) seized real estate worth over €200 000 (CZK 5 million).
The facts were reported to the EPPO in February 2024, by Czechia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Czech courts of law.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (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.