The Judicial Police (PJ) are searching a company and an apartment building in Reguengos de Monzaras for suspected European funds fraud, in an operation launched this Thursday by an investigation by the European Prosecutor’s Office.
According to a note published by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), whose Lisbon office is investigating, the alleged fraud amounted to 880,000 euros.
It will be about the possible practice of crimes of fraud when receiving a subsidy, active corruption, passive corruption and economic participation in business.
The searches are being conducted by the SP National Anti-Corruption Unit and the investigation is still ongoing to understand the nature and extent of the fraud.
“These are grants from the European Union Regional Development Fund (ERDF) awarded to the event “Water Aid for Life” (later called “Water – the World Forum for Life”) organized by the Municipality of Regengos de Monsaraz from 3 to 6 June 2021 with the aim of ensuring environmental sustainability,” the statement said.
EPPO also added that this municipality of Alentejo received a total of €880,621 to support the event, with the contract for the organization subsequently to be negotiated directly with a private company.