(Luxembourg, 17 October 2024) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Trapani executed a freezing order of €9 million today, in the context of an investigation into fraud involving EU funds, money laundering, and self-laundering.
The investigation has uncovered a fraudulent scheme involving local politicians and individuals from Sicily linked to a private training centre. The suspects allegedly misused more than €8.7 million from the European Social Fund (ESF) intended for vocational training and social projects.
It is believed that the funds were channelled through training programmes, some of which were unnecessary or not delivered, and were instead diverted for personal expenses and to support political campaigns. Moreover, it is alleged that six local politicians and their relatives were promised jobs and promotions at the implicated training centres, in exchange for supporting the political movement of the key suspects.
The scheme was allegedly orchestrated by a former senator and regional politician, with the assistance of several accomplices. Part of the funds, amounting to approximately €800 000, had already been used for personal and political purposes, while the rest of the €8.7 million was expected to be disbursed soon. With the freezing order, the additional disbursement will be prevented.
In addition to the freezing order, the Palermo Court's judge for preliminary investigations issued prohibitive measures against five suspects, who are prohibited from participating in subsidy procedures for a period of 12 months. Four out of these five suspects have also been put under house arrest today in a connected investigation led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Marsala (Italy).
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Italian courts of law.
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.