At the European Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed investigations for fraud of European funds

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced today that the Slovenian National Investigation Bureau (NPU) has completed more on their behalf this week inquiries On suspicion of attempting and fraud service in the allocation of EU funds worth more than € 25 million.

Investigations, as they explained, took place at several locations in Slovenia, and focused on suspects and companies, which are alleged to have two separate public tenders managed by the Agency Spiriteprovided incorrect or misleading information.

Investigation of the fraud attempt refers to a public tender funded by the EU Fund for a fair passage and was intended to promote economic restructuring in two Slovenian coal regions, the press release explained. As we reported yesterday, investigations were related to the affair, which broke out in February this year after the controversial division of subsidies for the restructuring of the Šalek Valley and Zasavje.

The companies received a grant of ten million and € 9.7 million, they wrote, but they did not disclose that they are related, which is a key restriction in financing rules. In order to surround this rule, the suspects allegedly changed the ownership and name of the company, trying to cover up the connection. Because they discovered this even before they were paid funds, they were subsequently repealed.

Another investigation refers to a public tender financed by the EU instrument for the revitalization of the economy and resistance and is intended to support investments in productivity and competitiveness. One of the companies in the investigation received grants of more than € 5.56 million, suspecting that it has submitted incorrect information or concealed key facts regarding the planned construction project, including land ownership, building size, construction costs and purchasing equipment. The company received part of the funds, 41,300 euros, before the discrepancies were found.

While neither EPPO nor Slovenian police have revealed details, the portal is Uncensored reported that investigators visited the entrepreneur Tadeja von Horvathaone of the main actors in the affair and the owner of Vonpharma, who was approved by the public agency Spirit nearly EUR 10 million of grants. Investigation is also to be carried out by his relative Mihi Tetičkovicwho had sold Von Horvath just before the tender was published by Vital Qi. Also, SPIRIT approved nearly EUR 10 million in subsidies in the tender.

A penalty of fraud is prescribed a sentence of one to eight years in prison for the crime of fraud to the detriment of the European Union.