Man, bro, look, Kovesi has started cracking down on the Italians too! The European Public Prosecutor's Office, aka 'our girl' who makes us proud abroad, has launched an investigation in Italy for a 1 million euro fraud from those PNRR funds. Yeah, that's right, the money we keep bragging about in Brussels that we're spending on digitalization and whatnot.
Well, an 'entrepreneur' in Italy – let's call him that, since he controlled several e-commerce companies – pulled off a downright slick scheme: he issued fake invoices, submitted fictitious documentation, and asked for money from SIMEST, that institution that gives funds for internationalization. Basically, he said he was building e-commerce platforms for export, but he did nothing. He took the money, funneled it through his companies with fake services, laundered it, and patted himself on the back.
Total value? 1 million euros. 200,000 was blocked in time.
Now EPPO is trying to recover the money already paid out. Seven individuals are being investigated for subsidy fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and even 'self-laundering' – meaning laundering money through their own companies. Five companies are also being held liable.
One suspect is under judicial control and has to pay 50,000 euros to get off easier. Guess who's the head of EPPO? Laura Codruța Kovesi, bro!
The one who cleaned house in Romania during the DNA days is now investigating the Italians too. I look at this scam and think: look, they steal too, not just us. But at least they brought her in to hold them accountable.
The Italians, according to the EPPO 2025 report, had 8 acquittals in court. So they're still playing around with justice over there. But at least now Kovesi has her eye on them.
Man, if it were like that for us with the PNRR funds, we'd be better off. But no, here we steal more subtly, with finesse, not with two-bit fake invoices. Anyway, this is good news: someone is cleaning up.
Let me go tell Mioara not to buy from those phantom platform guys anymore, because Kovesi might come to our house too!
