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(Luxembourg, 3 April 2024) – At the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Palermo (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Sant'Agata di Militello have executed a seizure order against a baker suspected of agricultural funding fraud, with an estimated damage of €320 000.
The suspect under investigation is the owner of a bakery located in the municipality of Torrenova (province of Messina). The baker had applied for €800 000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), intended to modernise and expand the production of his bakery and to be used for baking bread and other baked goods using ancient Sicilian grains.
According to the evidence, the bakery had used a first advance payment of €320 000 for different purposes than what it was intended for. Instead, the money was allegedly used for online trading. Thanks to the timely intervention in this investigation, the subsequent payment of €480 000 by the regional authorities was prevented.
At the request of the EPPO, the judge for preliminary investigations in Patti ordered the preventive seizure of bank accounts based on the evidences collected.
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.