Ooni Koda
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Newsfeed
  4. /
  5. Romania: EPPO dismantles criminal scheme that obtained €2.2...

Romania: EPPO dismantles criminal scheme that obtained €2.2 million for pastures involving public officials

November 28, 2024

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Timisoara (Romania) arrested three suspects yesterday, including two public officials, in an investigation into a criminal scheme that obtained €2.2 million in EU funds for pastures, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/ informs.    One of the individuals detained is a sheep breeder who owns a large estate in Romania. According to the investigation, he set up a criminal scheme to obtain EU subsidies for pastures that were ineligible for funds, using public officials from Romania’s paying agency to facilitate the process.    Based on the evidence, between 2018 and 2023, the sheep breeder used employees to identify pastures which he did not own and to lease them in the name of his parents and of a commercial company controlled by him, in order to fraudulently obtain EU funds. It is understood that public officials from Romania’s Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) – Hunedoara County Centre colluded in the scheme.    According to the investigation, the sheep breeder submitted requests for subsidies regarding land that he did not own, or requested support to larger areas than the ones submitted. In addition, he is alleged to have submitted requests for forested areas that are not eligible for support, by enlisting the help of public officials from the APIA.  In this manner, the suspect obtained approximately €2.2 million (RON 11 211 935.22) in agricultural EU funds.    An additional request for approximately €1.6 million (RON 8 293 626 ) was submitted to the APIA, but the funds were not disbursed, thanks to the timely investigation of the EPPO.   The European Delegated Prosecutor in charge of the investigation ordered the detention of the three suspects for 24 hours, and he will request their preventive arrest. In addition, eight more individuals were charged, including another five public officials.    In order to compensate the damage to the EU budget, a freezing order was issued. The investigative measures counted on the support of the Anticorruption General Directorate - County Anticorruption Service Timis (Directia Generala Anticoruptie – Serviciul Judetean Anticoruptie Timis) and the Arad County Police Inspectorate - Economic Crimes Investigation Service (Inspectoratul de Politie Judetean Arad – Serviciul de Investigare a Criminalitatii Economice).   The investigation is ongoing, in order to ascertain the extent of the suspected criminal activities.     All persons involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Romanian courts of law.

Read in full - click here
Auchan becomes the official partner of the largest barbecue festival in Europe: GRILLFEST BBQ ARENA 2025 powered by Auchan

June 20-22, National Arena, Bucharest – 250,000 sqm, 1 million euros in premium meat, tens of thousands of participants Auchan Romania and GrillFest BBQ are excited to announce a major partnership: one of the retailers with the most extensive support for Romanian producers, and at the same time, one of the most innovative retailers in […]

Romanian investment fund market weathered electoral period well, fund administrators say

The Romanian investment fund market has successfully overcome the tense period from the first quarter of the year, caused by an unpredictable economic and political context as well as increased volatility in global markets, according to fund managers gathered at the quarterly debate on the performance of investment funds organized by the Bucharest Stock Exchange […]

British prosecutors bring 21 charges against Tate brothers, case in Romania comes first

Prosecutors in the United Kingdom confirmed for the first time the full list of 21 charges Andrew and Tristan Tate will face when they are returned to the UK. The list includes rape, actual bodily harm, and human trafficking. Charges were brought before an extradition warrant was issued to bring Andrew and Tristan Tate from […]

Romania to receive minehunter from UK Royal Navy in summer 2025

Romania is set to receive HMS Pembroke, a 26-year-old Sandown-class minehunter, from the UK Royal Navy, with delivery anticipated for the summer of 2025, according to Naval-Technology.com.  The acquisition, reportedly confirmed by British defense minister Maria Eagle, finalizes an agreement from September 2023 that also included HMS Blyth,...

Bionic arm advocate Tilly Lockey to speak at Bucharest Tech Week 2025

Tilly Lockey, one of the world’s most prominent voices in human augmentation and wearable technology, is set to take the stage at the Innovation Summit on June 16, marking the first day of the Business Summits at Bucharest Tech Week 2025. Her keynote, titled “Bionically Beautiful,” will focus on her personal journey with bionic technology, […]

Romania’s ethnic Saxon minority showcases its customs and heritage at Haferland Week 2025

This year, the Transylvanian Saxons will hold their yearly celebration of customs and heritage, the Haferland Week, in 10 villages traditionally inhabited by the German minority between July 31 - August 3.  The program will include dances and brass band concerts, a picnic at the Saschiz Refuge Fortress, as well as a guided tour of […]