The European Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office (EPPO) announced on Wednesday, June 24, that it had filed an indictment against the president and the vice-president of a Romanian association, following an investigation into six Erasmus+ projects.<\/p>\n
The body led by Romanian prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi noted that the defendants submitted false documentation to divert funds that were meant for cross-border mobility and education of youths.<\/p>\n
According to the investigation, some projects were only partially implemented, while others were not implemented at all. In some cases, project costs were inflated through false declarations.<\/p>\n
If found guilty, the two individuals may face between two and seven years in prison. However, the association, acting through an appointed representative, has entered into a plea agreement, subject to approval by the court. Under the terms of the agreement, the parties have agreed to a financial penalty and the publication of the court\u2019s decision as an additional sanction.<\/p>\n
Earlier in this investigation, the EPPO seized assets, including real estate, a vehicle, and bank accounts, to compensate for the damage, amounting to EUR\u202f111,342 (approximately RON 541,000).<\/p>\n
All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent Romanian courts of law, according to the EPPO press release.<\/p>\n