European Public Prosecutor's Office charged former mayor of Varna and three others

The European Public Prosecutor's Office pressed charges against the former mayor and the former district governor of Varna, as well as two civil servants from the Maritime Administration Executive Agency, as part of an investigation into alleged fraud reported by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), involving the reconstruction of a fishing port.

The four individuals are accused of falsifying official documents and providing false information to illegally obtain EU funds for a project worth 3.4 million euros, which is co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The project was for improving the infrastructure of an existing fishing port on the outskirts of Varna, submitted by the Municipality of Varna (beneficiary). However, according to the investigation, no such port existed when the application for EU funding was submitted.

The investigation shows that, in order to benefit from EU funds intended exclusively for improving the infrastructure of existing fishing ports, the beneficiary assembled several pontoons as floating piers for the sole purpose of registering the site as an existing port. In addition, the beneficiary provided incorrect information and did not include all the documents required by national law to obtain the necessary certificates.

From rocks to port

According to the investigation, the plots of land included in the application as an existing port were actually classified in Varna's cadastral plan as rocks, sand, and other structures, not as a port. With assistance from government officials at the Maritime Administration Executive Agency, the plots had changed their characteristics as intended for permanent use "as a port" - thus deceiving the Ministry of Transport, which had issued a certificate of operation suitable for a fishing port, despite the absence of numerous requirements laid down by the national legislation. The fishing port was later officially registered by the Maritime Administration Executive Agency.

The case was first reported to the European Public Prosecutor's Office by the European Anti-Fraud Office, following suspicions of possible serious irregularities and fraud. OLAF also conducted a further investigation under the supervision of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Further investigative actions have been carried out by the General Directorate of National Police - Sofia and the material from these investigations has been reported to the designated prosecutor.

The estimated financial damage to the EU budget is approximately 2.8 million euros (5,603,035.97 BGN), along with an additional estimated loss to Bulgaria's national budget of 675,475 euros (1,321,115.78 BGN).

All individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the relevant Bulgarian courts.