The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bucharest announces having filed charges against four suspects believed to be part of a criminal ring with ties to Italian mafia groups, in a case of an EUR 4.3 million subsidy fraud involving EU and national funds.In a statement this Tuesday, EPPO said that allegations are that the defendants formed a criminal group with other suspects to provide false letters of guarantee to awardees of EU-funded projects, which claimed to insure the projects against potential damages. In exchange for issuing the letters, the suspects are understood to have collected large amounts of money. According to the prosecutors, the suspects are believed to have carried out this fraudulent scheme in the name of companies registered in Czechia and Latvia, which did not have the right to issue letters of guarantee, nor the financial resources to cover the insured damages.The use of these documents resulted in an illicit gain of approximately EUR 4.3 million, most of the amount coming from the European Regional Development Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Regional Operational Programme.The move of EPPO Bucharest is the result of several investigations into criminal schemes using the same modus operandi, following house searches conducted in Romania and France in May 2023. Earlier, in 2023, other suspects were charged and are currently awaiting trial. Also, EUR 450,000 worth of assets were seized.If found guilty, the defendants face between four and 15 years of imprisonment.Based on the principle of loyal cooperation, the EPPO has alerted the Romanian Ministry of Investment and European projects about the existence of possible vulnerabilities in the management of European funds, which result in a significantly low level of protection of EU's financial interests in Romania.According to the operation methods identified in several cases, the elements that generated a high risk of fraud in EU-funded contracts consisted in the use of letters of guarantee issued by fictitious entities, or that didn't have the right to issue such documents. The bogus documents helped the fraudsters win several public award procedures, and consequently EPPO opened several investigations therein.
On Monday, January 13, officials at the Cantacuzino Hospital in Bucharest alerted police that a man stole three amputated legs from the storage area. While two were later found, the third is still missing. The incident took place three days prior, on January 10, and was captured by surveillance cameras. Images published by Euronews Romania […]
The General Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday, January 15, that criminal prosecution has been initiated again against former president Ion Iliescu and ex-prime minister Petre Roman in the case targeting the violent crackdown of the protests in Bucharest's University Square on June 13-15, 1990, also known as the Mineriada (miners' riot). The two are facing […]
Approximately 62% of employees in Romania intend to change their workplace in the next six months largely due to financial reasons, according to a survey conducted by the online recruitment platform Bestjobs. Approximately 48% of respondents intend to change their workplace because they want a better salary, 13% due to a lack of professional development […]
Roborock, a global leader in intelligent cleaning solutions, announces the launch of its latest innovation, the Roborock Qrevo Curv, a state-of-the-art robot vacuum and mop designed to redefine home cleaning. This revolutionary product combines cutting-edge technology with an innovative cleaning system to offer an unparalleled cleaning experience for consumers. "Roborock Qrevo Curv represents a new […]
Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan announced that his administration will draw inspiration from the Icelandic model to combat and prevent drug use among young people. The mayor also stated that building a medical facility dedicated to those struggling with addiction is being considered, using spaces belonging to Colentina or Obregia hospitals. “As Bucharest residents decided through a […]
A young deer trapped in the icy waters of a pond near Fălticeni, Suceava county, was recently saved by a team of firefighters. According to the Emergency Situations Inspectorate, which shared a short video of the rescue mission, the fawn had attempted to cross the frozen pond, but the thin ice cracked beneath its weight, […]
