Fact Check: 15 MPs named in EU farm fraud scandal, including 13 from ruling party.

Fact Check: "15 MPs named in EU farm fraud scandal, including 13 from ruling party."

What We Know

Recent investigations have revealed a significant scandal involving EU agricultural funds in Greece. According to Politico, a file from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) implicated 15 Members of Parliament (MPs) in a scheme to defraud the EU's agricultural budget. This file specifically names 13 MPs from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, along with one MP each from the opposition parties Pasok and Syriza. The allegations involve the illegal receipt of EU agricultural subsidies for land that the recipients did not own or for agricultural work that was never performed, which has deprived legitimate farmers of essential funds (Politico).

The scandal has led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials within the Greek government, including the Migration Minister and Deputy Ministers of various portfolios, as they were implicated in the fraudulent activities (Politico). The EPPO's investigation has been ongoing, with the agency noting that the case file contains evidence of a "criminal organization" that exploited EU funds (Politico).

Analysis

The claim that "15 MPs named in EU farm fraud scandal, including 13 from ruling party" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Politico article provides a detailed account of the scandal, confirming the number of implicated MPs and their party affiliations. The EPPO's investigation is described as extensive, involving wiretaps and testimonies from former officials, which adds credibility to the claims made about the involvement of these MPs.

Moreover, the Greek Reporter highlights the financial repercussions Greece faces due to mismanagement of EU funds, further corroborating the severity of the scandal. The fines imposed on Greece for these infractions reflect the EU's commitment to addressing fraud within its funding mechanisms.

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. Politico is known for its thorough investigative journalism, particularly in European affairs, while the Greek Reporter also provides credible coverage of Greek political and economic issues. Both sources have a track record of accuracy and are respected within their fields.

Conclusion

The claim that "15 MPs named in EU farm fraud scandal, including 13 from ruling party" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that a significant number of MPs from the ruling New Democracy party are implicated in a serious scandal involving the fraudulent acquisition of EU agricultural subsidies.