(Luxembourg, 17 July 2025) – Today, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bratislava (Slovakia) filed an indictment at the Specialised Criminal Court against one individual and one company, for fraud involving EU regional funds to build and manage a karting centre.
In 2018, one individual and one company applied for a non-repayable grant of €199 795,20 financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to build a karting centre in western Slovakia. It is alleged that the accused submitted incorrect statements to the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA), in which it was falsely declared that the operation system of the karting centre was used in line with the given conditions. It emerged, however, that the system was leased to a third individual, who was not eligible to obtain the grant without consent of the grant provider.
If found guilty, the accused individual could face a prison sentence of up to six years and a fine of up to €331 930 and the company could face a ban to receive aid and support provided from EU funds of up to ten years and a fine of up to €1 600 000.
All person concerned are presumed to be innocent until found guilty in the competent Slovak 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.