The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Paris, as part of an investigation into alleged fraud amounting to 240,000 euros involving funds from the Erasmus+ program.
According to an EPPO statement released on Thursday, the case has been referred to the Paris Criminal Court and concerns an educational project related to children’s literacy.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office states that a French nonprofit organization, which was run by the two defendants, received 240,000 euros in funding through Erasmus+ between 2016 and 2019.
The grant was awarded by the French Erasmus+ agency for the implementation of this specific educational project.
According to the EPPO, the two suspects allegedly used the nonprofit organization to secure EU funding without complying with the terms of the grant agreement.
The investigation revealed that there are suspicions the organization lacked the necessary operational capacity to carry out the project.
At the same time, one of the two suspects allegedly submitted forged supporting documents to the French Erasmus+ agency.
It should be noted that the investigation was conducted with the assistance of the French Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF).
According to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the investigation also revealed that the funded educational activities were not carried out in accordance with the terms of the grant agreement.
The EPPO further states that part of the EU funding was allegedly embezzled, while one of the defendants is suspected of subsequently laundering part of the illegally obtained proceeds.
If convicted, the two defendants face prison terms of up to seven years and fines of up to 750,000 euros.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes that all individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent French courts.
Source: CNA:
