EPPO Investigates Alleged Misuse of EU Funds in Slovakia

Luxembourg/Bratislava, 31 March (TASR) - The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Bratislava is investigating a suspected subsidy fraud involving the misuse of European Union (EU) funds in connection with a project aimed at developing an IT tool for business processes automation and personal data protection, with searches carried out in the suspected beneficiary's premises in Kosice and Roznava (Kosice region), TASR reported on Tuesday based on a press release published by EPPO. The project is being co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under Operational Programme Research and Innovation. The operation, codenamed 'Database', was reported to TASR by the anti-corruption unit of the Police Corps' Office for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK) on Thursday (26 March). According to the investigators, the beneficiary allegedly received EU funding worth some €189,380 to implement the project. Investigators suspect that the company didn't comply with the objectives set out in the grant agreement, so the EU funds might have been used for other than their earmarked purpose, EPPO stated in its press release. During the searches, computers and documents related to the projects and the public procurement procedures, including software and digital evidence, have been seized. The investigation is being carried out in cooperation with UBOK in Kosice. EPPO is the European Union's independent public prosecutor's office, responsible for investigating, prosecuting and handing down convictions for crimes against the EU's financial interests. jrg/df