European Prosecutor’s Office in Croatia: New Fraud Investigations Underway following High-Profile Cases

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Croatia is currently handling several new fraud investigations, as revealed in a recent interview by European Prosecutor Tamara Laptoš with N1 television.

New Investigations Following Major Fraud Cases

Since its launch in Zagreb in 2019, the EPPO has been investigating major fraud cases. Ms. Laptoš, who previously led Croatia’s anti-corruption unit, USKOK, took charge of the EPPO’s Croatian office in July 2020.

• €1.3 billion fraud cases: The EPPO investigated two major fraud cases worth over €1.4 billion in the past 18 months.
• Former Minister Gabrijela Žalac: The most notable case resulted in the indictment of the former minister for EU funds, Gabrijela Žalac, and her associates in December 2021 for a €1.3 million fraud.

Possible Connection to Further Cases

Ms. Laptoš hinted that these investigations might lead to more cases.

It’s possible. We have not ruled out the possibility that new cases have arisen based on the evidence uncovered during the Žalac investigation.

Ongoing Investigations

While Laptoš remained tight-lipped about the details, she shared that some investigations have already been opened.

2022 Investigations

The EPPO’s Zagreb office launched 23 investigations in 2022, which looked into possible fraud totaling approximately €320 million.

Former Agriculture Minister Tomislav Tolusic

Another high-ranking official under investigation is former agriculture minister Tomislav Tolusic. He was detained in July 2022 as part of an investigation into suspected irregularities in EU funding worth around €600,000 that he used to equip his privately-owned winemaking business.

Conclusion

As the EPPO continues its mission to uncover and prosecute fraud and corruption related to EU funds in Croatia, these new investigations underscore the ongoing commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in the EU’s member states.