(Luxembourg, 3 December 2025) The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Timișoara (Romania) has submitted six plea agreements with three individuals and three companies to the Timiș Tribunal Court, in an investigation into subsidy fraud and forgery involving EU Start-Up grants, with an estimated damage of around €120 000.
According to the investigation, between 2018 and 2022, an entrepreneur from Arad, a former vice-mayor of the municipality, managed three companies that benefited from EU-funded Start-Up projects. Together with two other individuals, he submitted false documents to the managing authority in order to obtain or retain the grants. The falsified documentation concerned the completion of the practical training stage required under the projects, the creation and maintenance of two jobs for each beneficiary, and proof of generating at least thirty percent of the revenue corresponding to the first instalment of the grant.
The evidence indicates that the companies did not meet these conditions. Nevertheless, the documentation was submitted in their name, allowing them to receive or keep the EU funds. Two associates were involved in managing two of the companies and participated in the submission of the false statements.
The three individuals have accepted responsibility for their actions. Under the plea agreements, the main defendant received a custodial sentence of two years, suspended under supervision for a probation period of three years. The two associates received suspended sentences of one year and five months, and one year and six months respectively, each with a probation period of three years.
If the three companies are convicted, the court may order the three companies involved a fine of around €3000 (15 000 lei) each and they will be banned from participating in public procurement procedures for a period of three years.
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.