(Luxembourg, 7 May 2025) – The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Iași (Romania) led a series of searches in Botoșani county and the commune of Coșula today. The city hall and the homes of the mayor of Coșula and other public officials were searched as part of an investigation into subsidy fraud and document forgery. Properties worth around €400 000 (RON 2 million) were seized.
The investigation, supported by the EPPO Support Structure in Romania, the Economic Crime Investigation Service within Botoșani County Police Inspectorate, and the County Gendarmerie Inspectorate Botoșani, has revealed that the mayor, in his previous capacity of deputy mayor, and other individuals have been allegedly involved in a fraud scheme related to a €3.5 million (RON 17,773,006) project financed by the EU funds from the Human Capital Operational Programme, a European structural fund promoting the economic and social development.
According to the evidence, the mayor and his accomplices submitted false documents, including tax invoices and works acceptance reports, to claim reimbursement for renovations to homes of disadvantaged individuals and families, which were not actually completed. It is believed that the mayor and the building company agreed to certify the completion of the work in exchange for the funds. As a result, the suspects fraudulently obtained approximately €238 000 (RON 1,177,321) in grant payments.
As part of the ongoing investigation, nine house searches were carried out in the commune of Coșula and within Botoșani county and 31 properties, including 28 plots of land and three houses/apartments, worth approximately €400 000 (RON 2 million) were seized, to cover the damage of €238 000 and judicial expenses. All suspects were found at their homes and are to be brought to the EPPO in Iași. Preventive measures of judicial control will be ordered against five individuals, including the mayor.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian 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.