Embezzlement Scandal Rocks Bulgaria: €300,000 Stolen from EU Agricultural Funds
Eight Suspects Arrested in Dramatic Raid
On June 29, 2022, Bulgarian authorities conducted a coordinated raid, arresting eight suspects, including the head of the Petrich Regional Agricultural State Fund. The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into fraud relating to EU agricultural funds.
Investigation Unveils Organized Criminal Group
The suspects are believed to be members of an organized criminal group composed of relatives, subordinates, and close friends of the Head of the Petrich Regional Agricultural State Fund. The group is accused of submitting false, inaccurate, and incomplete documents and statements to obtain EU agricultural funds worth approximately €300,000.
- In some cases, they allegedly used the names of deceased individuals on the documents to secure the funding.
- The investigation revealed a sophisticated scheme designed to defraud the system and embezzle large sums of money.
Raids Yield Significant Evidence
During the searches of animal farms, cars, and premises, including the office of the Regional Agricultural State Fund, authorities seized:
- Large quantities of documents
- Computers
- Mobile phones
- Animal identifiers
The raids were part of a coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies, including Bulgaria’s General Directorate for Combatting Organised Crime and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.
Ongoing Investigation Highlights Need for Transparency and Accountability
The investigation is ongoing, but it is clear that embezzlement has been a significant problem in Bulgaria’s agricultural sector. This latest scandal highlights the need for increased transparency and accountability to prevent such frauds from occurring in the future.
By exposing these illegal activities and bringing those responsible to justice, authorities aim to restore public trust and ensure the integrity of EU agricultural funding programs.