(Luxembourg, 4 June 2026) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Sofia (Bulgaria) has filed an indictment at the Sofia City Court against the representative of a Bulgarian company for suspected fraud involving EU and national funds under two projects financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
According to the investigation, the defendant submitted false information and documents in relation to two projects financed under the EU’s “Innovation and Competitiveness” Operational Programme, aimed at supporting innovation and increasing the production capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The first project concerned the production of an innovative reservoir with a seamless hydroisolated coating. The second related to the improvement of the company’s production capacity through the acquisition of industrial equipment.
Based on the evidence, the defendant falsely declared that the company had no outstanding tax and social security obligations, submitted misleading information regarding procurement procedures and technical implementation, and falsely claimed that specific machinery and production capacities existed or had been put into operation.
As a result, the company obtained grant funding totalling over €693 000 (BGN 1.35 million) including approximately €589 000 (BGN 1.15 million) financed by the ERDF and the remainder through national co-financing from the Bulgarian state budget.
The indictment concerns two criminal offences related to the unlawful obtaining of EU funds through the submission of false information.
If found guilty, the defendant could face up to eight years of imprisonment.
All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Bulgarian 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.