The European Public Prosecutor's Office's investigation indicates that companies were created solely to participate in an EU program, and the "appointed" employees returned part of their salaries in cash
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Sofia has filed an indictment against four suspects accused of fraud with EU funds intended to support the employment of people with disabilities.
According to the investigation, two companies were registered solely for the purpose of participating in an EU program funded by the European Social Fund, which aims to integrate people with permanent disabilities into the labor market. The evidence collected shows that the defendants did not intend to develop real commercial activity or actually provide employment to people from the target groups, and the scheme was aimed at illegally obtaining funds for salaries of fictitious employees.
With the help of an accomplice, three managers of the companies falsely certified that they had hired people from vulnerable groups, although they did not actually perform any activity. In addition, the defendants demanded that the fictitious employees return more than half of the remuneration received in cash so that no trace of the fraud would remain.
The funds received by the two companies amounted to 42,621 euros (83,359 leva). If proven guilty, the defendants could receive between two and eight years in prison.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office reminds that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a Bulgarian court. The EPPO is the independent prosecutorial body of the European Union that investigates crimes against the EU's financial interests.