EU fund misuse investigations in Greece

Investigations have emerged regarding the misuse of European Union funds in Greece, specifically concerning agricultural subsidies and VAT fraud.

Initial reports highlighted a significant discrepancy between official national statistics and subsidy claims. While the Greek statistical agency, ELSTAT, projected a shrinking cattle herd, Ministry of Agriculture records indicated subsidies for approximately 260,000 dairy cows, suggesting a growth that contradicted official data. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) began investigating potential organized crime involving veterinarians, political figures, and officials.

As the investigation progressed, the EPPO prepared a case file involving 22 individuals, including former high-ranking OPEKEPE officials and four sitting members of the New Democracy party. These individuals face allegations of misconduct in office and the illegal management of community funds.

Parallel to the agricultural subsidy investigation, the EPPO is also pursuing a massive VAT carousel fraud scheme estimated at 46.9 million euros. This secondary investigation involves a network of companies accused of defrauding both the Greek state and the EU, leading to raids and the seizure of cash, real estate, luxury vehicles, and cryptocurrencies.