Financial Crime World

European Public Prosecutor’s Office Files Fraud Charges Against Slovenian Association and Its Representative

![European Public Prosecutor’s Office Logo](image: EPPO_logo.png)

Overview

  • The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has initiated criminal charges.
  • An association and its legal representative are accused of defrauding the EU out of €65,000 in Erasmus+ funds.
  • The association focused on youth projects submitted applications for 3 Erasmus+ tenders from Slovenia’s Institute for the Development of Youth Mobility (MOVIT).

Charges

  • Between 2019 and 2021, the association, based in Maribor, received EU funding for 3 projects.
  • No progress was made on the planned activities, and no reports were submitted to MOVIT.
  • The legal representative misappropriated funds, using them to pay off debts and for personal expenses.
  • Intended to defraud the EU, knowing that projects would not materialize.

Investigation & Findings

  • Funds were diverted to cover debts and personal expenses, instead of being used for youth exchange activities.
  • Slovenian Police Directorate Maribor and EPPO conducted investigations.
  • Conviction could result in a prison sentence ranging from one to eight years for the defendant.
  • Association could face a fine, confiscation of assets, and forced liquidation.

Background

  • The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is an independent EU public prosecution office.
  • It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing cases to judgment against crimes that undermine EU financial interests.

References

  • European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). (2024, January 4). European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Ljubljana files criminal charges against association and its representative for fraud. Press Release. Retrieved from https://www.europeanprosecutor.eu/index.aspx?pageId=1490

Note: Replace "image: EPPO_logo.png" with the actual file path or URL to the EPPO logo image.