Two people living in Germany and Switzerland are facing prosecution in Paris over allegations linked to EU funding for a child literacy initiative.
Prosecutors suspect that the educational activities financed through the programme were not carried out in accordance with the grant agreement.
Child literacy project under scrutiny
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said the case had been referred to the Paris Criminal Court.
A French non-profit organisation managed by the two defendants received €240,000 in Erasmus+ funding between 2016 and 2019. The grant was awarded by the French Erasmus+ agency for the implementation of the educational project.
According to the EPPO, the organisation was allegedly used to obtain EU funding without complying with the conditions of the grant agreement.
Investigators also suspect that the organisation lacked the operational capacity required to carry out the project.
Suspected forged documents and misuse of funds
One of the defendants is suspected of submitting forged supporting documents to the French Erasmus+ agency.
The investigation, conducted with the assistance of the French Anti-Fraud Office (ONAF), also raised suspicions that the funded educational activities were not implemented as required.
Part of the EU funding was allegedly misappropriated, while one of the defendants is suspected of laundering a portion of the unlawfully obtained proceeds.
Potential prison sentences and fines
If convicted, the defendants could face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to €750,000.
The EPPO stressed that all those involved are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by the competent French courts.
Source: CNA
