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(Luxembourg, 14 March 2024) – Yesterday, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bucharest (Romania) notified the Bucharest Tribunal of an indictment against an individual and a company, on charges related to non-procurement fraud.
This was based on an investigation, conducted by the EPPO, which uncovered evidence of discrepancies regarding funds totalling €920 000, received under a financing contract within the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020.
These funds were intended for the development of a fishery and leisure area in Tulcea County, including tasks such as unclogging and restoring the embankment crown, purchasing photovoltaic panels, acquiring amphibious equipment for reed cutting, the procurement of accommodation structures, and the purchase of recreational motorboats. It is suspected, however, that €480 000 of the received funds was redirected from their designated purpose between June 2019 and June 2020.
It is alleged that these diverted funds were channelled into the personal account of the defendant, used for financing other companies under their control, or allocated for unrelated project expenses.
Seizing orders have been initiated on the individual and company’s assets, as part of the legal process.
In the event of a conviction, the defendant could potentially face a penalty of up to seven-and-a-half years’ imprisonment.
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.