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The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Vilnius (Lithuania) in cooperation with the Financial Crime Investigation Service (Finansinių nusikaltimų tyrimo tarnyba - FNTT) is conducting a pre-trial investigation into a suspected fraud involving a former assistant of a Lithuanian Member of the European Parliament.
The investigation, that started after a report from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), is looking into the suspected non-performance or imitation of the actual functions of a parliamentary assistant, with the aim of fraudulently obtaining remuneration from 2014-2019 and unemployment benefits from 2019-2020. The potential damage to the financial interests of the European Union exceeds half a million euros.
In the past few days, from 26 until 28 March 2024, the EPPO in Vilnius and the FNTT have been conducting active evidence-collecting activities, after having received additional information from EU institutions in early 2024. Intensive searches were carried out at the residences of individuals and at the former workplace of the suspect (the headquarters of the Labour Party of the Republic of Lithuania), together with a series of forensic actions. The suspect was questioned and witnesses were heard.
At this stage of the pre-trial investigation, suspicions have been raised against one individual for suspected large-scale fraud and document forgery. Yesterday, at the request of the EPPO, the Vilnius City District Court imposed to the suspect the coercive measure of wearing an electronic bracelet for two months.
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.