(Luxembourg, 28 March 2025) – The Central Criminal Court of Spain has convicted the sole administrator of a company for fraudulently obtaining EU subsidies intended for the promotion of Spanish wine in third-country markets. The case was brought to court by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Madrid (Spain).
According to the indictment, between 2019 and 2022, the convicted individual submitted false invoices for trade fairs, travel, and promotional activities that did not correspond to actual expenses incurred under the 2019-2023 support programme for the Spanish wine sector. The fraudulent claims amounted to more than €55 000, of which €26 510.09 was disbursed from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF).
The defendant has been sentenced to a fine and the loss of the right to benefit from public aid or subsidies. The full amount fraudulently obtained has been reimbursed.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.