In a significant crackdown on fraudulent activities involving EU structural funds, the European Public Prosecutor's Office in Palermo, in collaboration with the Italian Financial Police, has seized assets worth over €800,000 from a Sicilian ceramics company. The company, based in Reitano, near Messina, is accused of illegally obtaining approximately €560,000 in EU funds intended for the modernization and expansion of its production facilities.
The investigation, dubbed 'Operation Vaso di Cera', uncovered a complex scheme where the company allegedly used invoices for non-existent transactions to claim the funds. This not only defrauded the Sicilian region but also resulted in significant tax evasion. The seized assets include both the profits from the fraudulent activities and the taxes evaded through these means.
The funds in question were part of the EU's Structural Funds for the 2014-2020 programming period, specifically allocated under the European Regional Development Fund's Operational Programme for Sicily. These funds were meant to support the growth, quality, sustainability, and competitiveness of local businesses, including the purchase of machinery for ceramic production in Santo Stefano di Camastra.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring the proper use of EU funds, with the European Public Prosecutor's Office playing a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting such frauds. The five entrepreneurs involved have been reported to the authorities, marking a significant step in the fight against financial crimes affecting the EU's budget and the integrity of its funding programmes.
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