OLAF-DNA joint investigation on fraud and corruption in free food programme in Romania

05/10/2015

PRESS RELEASE N°15/2015
5 October 2015
PDF version

OLAF and Romanian authorities are working together in investigating a large case of suspected fraud and corruption. In this context, Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors have conducted house and office searches in various locations throughout Romania on Monday morning. The investigation concerns the 2012 programme for the provision of free food for the most deprived persons in the EU. This programme is funded by the EU budget and managed by the Romanian paying agency for agriculture, APIA. The financial impact of the case is over EUR 26 million.

OLAF's assistance to the Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) and the Romanian Anti-Fraud Department - DLAF, has included the conducting of on-the-spot checks in Romania and Bulgaria as well as making enquiries with the judicial authorities in Cyprus, receiving the investigative assistance of the Carabinieri in Italy and also the receipt of detailed information from the administrative authorities in Sweden and Germany. OLAF has received the full cooperation of DG Agriculture of the European Commission in dealing with the case.

Commenting on the on-going case, the Director-General of OLAF, Mr Giovanni Kessler, said: "This operation is a good example of effective action by OLAF and national authorities working together to defend EU taxpayers' money against fraud. I would like to thank all those authorities who have helped in the conduct of this investigation to date and I wish the Romanian DNA on-going success in this very important case."

For more information, please see the DNA's press release (in Romanian).

_{OLAF mission, mandate and competences:}

_{OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.}

_{OLAF fulfils its mission by:
• carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can stimulate the creation of jobs and growth in Europe;
• contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
• developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.}

_{In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
• all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
• some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
• suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.}

For further details:
Florian OEL
Deputy Spokesperson
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
Phone: +32 2 29 69115
E-mail: olaf-mediaec [dot] europa [dot] eu ( olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu )
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud