Italian individuals and companies charged with aquaculture fraud

The case involves the alleged misuse of resources allocated under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for projects aimed at advancing sustainable aquaculture.

The charges involve five co-operative societies, suspected of submitting false documentation and fictitious insurance policies, in order to obtain the money for the construction of new fish tanks and a fish boat for the aquaculture sector.

During the application procedure, one of the companies was barred from receiving any funds, after it was sanctioned with an anti-mafia preventive measure.

Four companies received an advance payment of €1.4m (£1.2m) from the EMFF. The beneficiaries informed the paying agency that the works on the new tanks had started, but later checks showed that this was not true.

An additional request for €2.6m (£2.2m) was submitted to the paying agency, but the funds were not disbursed, thanks to the timely investigation of the EPPO, the prosecutors add.

The evidence gathered, the EPPO says, points to criminal responsibility of the suspects for aggravated fraud to obtain public funds, as well as embezzlement and money laundering. 

Overall, four of the five companies were affected by the anti-mafia preventive measure: one during the application procedure, for another investigation, and the remaining after this investigation started. 

The prosecutors said: “The EPPO has worked closely with the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) and local Port Authorities to bring the case to light. These fraudulent practices not only compromise the financial integrity of EU funding but also tarnish the reputation of the aquaculture sector, which is critical for sustainable food production.

“All individuals and entities implicated in the case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The EPPO, as the independent prosecution office of the EU, remains committed to ensuring that public funds are used transparently and effectively to promote sustainable development in aquaculture and other sectors.

“This case underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting EU financial interests and fostering trust in programmes designed to support growth and innovation.”

EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.