News

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) closed three administrative investigations in 2020 into possible misuse of EU funds for agriculture in Slovakia. Findings include irregularities in direct payments and systemic weaknesses in national verification procedures.

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Bulgaria have signed an administrative cooperation agreement that will see the two bodies work even more closely together to fight fraud and corruption affecting the EU budget.

International operations involving the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) led to the seizure of nearly 370 million illegal cigarettes in 2020. The majority of the cigarettes were smuggled from countries outside the EU but destined for sale on EU markets.

The Chief Public Prosecution Office of County Csongrád-Csanád has submitted the indictment against a woman and two men who received a HUF 822 million (approx. EUR 2.650.000) subvention from the Hungarian and EU budget sources using false own-resource certification.

Law enforcement authorities from 15 EU Member States and the UK teamed up last month to dismantle a major black market cigarettes racket. Supported by Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the joint operation took place between 2 and 13 November.  

On 17 December 2020, the final phase of a three-year long trans-European operation targeting the smuggling and illicit production of cigarettes, coordinated by European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), took place in Romania.

Yesterday, Italian authorities carried out a precautionary seizure of assets against a group of six people, including a former Member of the European Parliament, Lara Comi. The ex-MEP and the five other people are under investigation for alleged serious fraud against the EU budget.

Italy: Former MEP’s assets seized by Italian authorities in fraud investigation.

New rules that strengthen the role of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and pave the way for smooth collaboration with the new European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) have been adopted today by the European Parliament.