The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) have concluded investigations into possible irregularities in the implementation of a railway infrastructure project in Bulgaria and recommend recovery of EUR 38 million that has been spent, and prevention of further spending of EUR 92 million provided to this country, OLAF said on its website on Wednesday. The probe was previously announced by EPPO on August 11.
OLAF says that it conducted the investigation in close cooperation with the EPPO’s European Delegated Prosecutors in Bulgaria, looking into possible irregularities in an EU-funded project for the modernization of local railway infrastructure. The investigation focused on the financial damage caused by the alleged irregularities, notably during the procurement procedure and project implementation. According to OLAF’s investigation, two of the successful tenderers either lacked the technical capacities to implement the project or had misrepresented their financial capacities, OLAF says.
CINEA - the European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency - is the authority which can now follow up on OLAF’s recommendations.
The EPPO’s investigation is ongoing and focuses on possible criminal offences – such as misuse of EU funds and money laundering – and includes a second railway project that the EPPO estimates at an additional EUR 111 million.
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