The issue is linked to the findings of an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), which announced the completion of its analysis this week.
RARS scandal: Poland ordered to repay €91M for fraudulent generator purchase
The power generators were intended to be delivered to areas in Ukraine affected by electricity shortages. The project, managed by RARS, was funded by the EU and valued at €114 million.
As announced via social media by Piotr Serafin, the Polish-born EU Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud, and Public Administration, the investigation's findings indicate, among other things: artificially inflated prices, favoritism toward affiliated companies, serious embezzlement of EU funds, and obstruction of the investigation.
OLAF has recommended the recovery of the funds.
"We need every euro of EU support to Ukraine to reach those in need and guarantee that our taxpayers’ money is duly spent. Protecting EU aid to Ukraine not only guarantees our taxpayers’ money is duly spent but is also a matter of our security. Thanks to our strong cooperation with the CBA and the Polish Prosecutor’s Office, we have successfully safeguarded the EU’s financial interests," said Ville Itälä, OLAF Director-General, in an official statement on the matter.
Source: IAR/PAP/anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
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