EU prosecutors probing 84 in Italy over fraudulent use of NRRP funds

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said Tuesday that has notified 84 legal representatives of companies across Italy that they are under investigation in relation to an investigation into alleged fraud regarding Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP or PNRR in Italian). The investigation concerns a suspected fraud scheme linked to the New Skills Fund (Fondo Nuove Competenze), through which EU funding intended for employee training was allegedly obtained on the basis of fictitious training activities. The suspected fraud is estimated at approximately ?40 million, including around ?33 million deriving from EU funding. The EPPO in Milan has seized around ?20 million held in bank accounts and insurance policies linked to five companies, as part of the investigation, it said. (ANSA).