Italy (Washington Insider Magazine) – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Rome, in collaboration with the Italian State Police, has launched a large-scale investigation into a suspected criminal organization accused of misusing funds from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Several house searches, arrests, and asset seizures have been carried out in the Lazio and Campania regions as part of the probe.
Five civil servants, including the mayor of Ceccano, are accused of operating a corruption scheme in which public contracts worth €5 million were awarded in exchange for bribes. The projects in question, executed between 2021 and 2023, included earthquake-proofing an elementary school, public infrastructure improvements, and migrant accommodation services. Investigators discovered that part of the bribes paid by beneficiaries was funneled to criminal associates, while another portion was laundered through shell companies using false invoices.
Authorities have placed 13 individuals under precautionary measures, with 10 under house arrest and three banned from engaging in business activities or holding managerial positions for one year. Additionally, a court in Frosinone issued a freezing order for €500,000, which is now being executed by the Italian State Police.
While the investigation continues, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The EPPO, responsible for prosecuting financial crimes against the EU, remains committed to ensuring the proper use of European funds and tackling corruption within public institutions.
