Led by Laura Codru?a Kovesi, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced on Thursday that 38 searches have been conducted in Romania as part of two investigations into an alleged €15 million fraud. The investigations also span Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Malta, Monaco, and the United States. The cases revolve around six EU-funded IT projects for the development of innovative software solutions, with the offenses being fraud and money laundering. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has opened supplementary investigations related to the same acts. The searches in Romania were conducted on Tuesday in various areas, including Bucharest, Ploiesti, Cluj, and Ialomi?a, as stated in a press release issued by EPPO on Thursday. Additionally, judicial proceedings took place in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Malta, Monaco, and the United States through international cooperation. Six EU-funded IT projects aimed at developing innovative software solutions are the focus of these investigations. EPPO reports that between 2019 and 2022, project beneficiaries submitted false or inaccurate documents related to services, including overpriced services that were never provided, as well as fraudulent invoices for the acquisition of goods. As a result, they obtained unjustified funds from the EU budget amounting to at least €15 million. The beneficiaries are suspected of subsequently creating fraudulent domestic and international financial circuits to divert the funds for their own benefit, according to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Some of the individuals targeted by the investigation were brought to EPPO’s office in Bucharest to be informed of their suspect status, while others will be brought in the following days. The offenses under investigation could constitute crimes of fraud and money laundering. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has initiated complementary investigations into the same offenses, as indicated by EPPO.
The forecasts made by managers in the second half of 2024, as expressed in the CONFIDEX study, were more pessimistic than the actual economic reality of Romania. The onset of the year, however, marked by surprising events, international geo-political tensions, and the unpredictability of the upcoming presidential elections in Romania, may heighten the caution levels […]
Arval Romania has recently launched Arval Re-Lease, a new service dedicated to the local market focusing on the leasing of used vehicles that have completed an operational leasing contract. Arval Re-Lease is designed to meet the common needs of companies, offering comprehensive solutions to reduce costs associated with vehicle rental, insurance, and maintenance services. Arval […]
Bogdan Crețu’s novel Mai puțin decât dragostea/ Less Than Love is Romania’s nomination for this year’s European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL). The European Union Prize for Literature (EUPL) recognizes emerging fiction writers from the European Union and beyond. Each year, national juries choose their proposal in a rotating selection of countries participating in the […]
Interim president Ilie Bolojan is attending the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, March 6, to signal Romania’s position in favor of strengthening NATO's European pillar, supporting Ukraine, and increasing defense spending. He also met with several European leaders before the summit, including the next chancellor of Germany. European leaders met in Brussels to discuss […]
Russia carried out 34 hybrid attacks against Romania in 2024, according to a report presented in the Italian Parliament, based on information published by Romanian authorities regarding last year’s annulled presidential elections. On March 3, Italy’s ambassador to Bucharest, Alfred Maria Durande, announced that foreign forces were involved in the 2024 presidential elections in Romania....
Le Bistrot Français, part of the prestigious hospitality associations Relais & Châteaux, has started a collaboration with Chef Tom Meyer, one of the most appreciated French cooks, awarded by the Michelin guide and holding the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France. Starting Monday, March 3, the restaurant’s menu will bear his signature, marking a special […]
