22 criminal cases on EU funds-related charges

Romanian investigators have identified 22 criminal cases related to deeds against the financial interests of the European Union in Romania in the first four months of 2006, according to a Police press release.

46 people are eyed on suspicions of forgery, misused information, change of funds destination and illegal acceptance of funding by public servants for their cronies in cases related to the use of EU funds in the country.

Of the 22, 14 cases have been passed to the National Anti-corruption Deparment and two have led to the launch of criminal investigations.

The number of such cases has been growing as financial activities related to the expected accession of Romania to the EU are intensifying, according to the Romanian Police.