Tough penalties for defrauding European funds: fines of up to 3,000,000 lei and imprisonment of up to 10 years
Those who misuse European funds for purposes other than their intended use will face severe consequences. A new draft law aims to combat fraud against the financial interests of the European Union.
What are the sanctions?
Individuals: Fines will range from 150,000 to 550,000 lei, and the prison sentence can be up to 3 years. Legal Entities: Sanctions will include fines between 250,000 and 1,000,000 lei. In serious cases, legal entities may also face liquidation. Public officials or organized criminal groups: If crimes are committed by public officials or organized criminal groups, fines can range from 250,000 to 3,000,000 lei, with prison sentences extending up to 10 years. In addition, those found guilty may be deprived of the right to hold certain positions or engage in specific activities for a period of up to 7 years.
What constitutes a serious offence?
The draft law categorizes serious offenses as those involving the use of external resources in large or particularly large amounts, particularly if they involve public officials, individuals in responsible positions, or organized criminal groups. Additionally, actions that diminish the European Union budget by using false, incomplete, or incorrect documents are considered serious offenses. How is Moldova aligning with European legislation?
The draft law transposes Directive (EU) 2017/1371, which focuses on combating fraud against the financial interests of the European Union, into national law. This initiative forms part of the Republic of Moldova's commitments during its accession process to the European Union, aimed at strengthening the protection of the Union's financial interests.
The draft law is scheduled to be approved by the Government on January 15 before being submitted to Parliament for examination and adoption.
