Greece Faces Serious Fraud Charges Involving MPs and Officials
A significant investigation into fraud within Greece’s agricultural funding agency has implicated 15 members of parliament (MPs)—13 from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, and one each from opposition Pasok and Syriza—alongside various regional officials and former agency executives, reports 24brussels.
Prosecutors have requested wiretaps on phones of OPEKEPE officials, revealing numerous candid discussions. High-ranking officials allegedly discussed strategies to remove European prosecutors from the investigation while MPs sought favors for their constituents.
The case file includes testimonies from former OPEKEPE presidents, Grigoris Varras and Evangelos Simandrakos, who were dismissed by ministers Avgenakis and Voridis for attempting to block payments tied to fraudulent claims. The ministers reportedly pressured them to authorize these payments.
“Numerous transcribed conversations included in the case file show the action of criminal groups operating with the aim of illegally obtaining subsidies, as well as undermining and obstructing substantial audits that could have prevented the fraud,” stated the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in a referral note, according to officials who have reviewed the contents.
“Requesting the resignation of [former OPEKEPE president Grigoris] Varras seems to have halted the consolidation of the relevant procedures and gave the opportunity to these groups to continue these activities unhindered,” the note added.
Earlier this month, the European Commission fined Greece approximately €400 million for mismanagement of EU farm funding and inadequate oversight. According to officials in Greece and the EU, further fines are anticipated.
The Greek government announced plans to shut down OPEKEPE by next year, transitioning farm payments to the Independent Authority for Public Revenues.
