Fraud suspicions of over EUR 231 mln with EU funds in Romania

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has discovered possible frauds in 556 projects financed with EU funds in Romania during the 2007-2013 programming period. The total value of these projects is EUR 1.3 billion, of which the fraud is estimated at around EUR 231 million, reports local Digi24. Romania’s Anti-Fraud Department, which represents the interface with the European Anti-Fraud Office, carried out over 1,150 control actions during this period, following notices from the Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) and the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT). The inspectors found irregularities in 556 projects. Giovanni Kessler, general director of the European Anti-Fraud Office, presented the information on September 21, during his visit in Romania. His report also included the example of a foreign consultant who worked for a major health program in Romania. He allegedly asked for 5% of the contract’s value from those who got the project. One of the project’s financiers included the European Investment Bank. editor@romania-insider.com