The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) seized more than €170,000 on 23 February in a case of suspected fraud regarding parliamentary allowances by MEP Stefania Zambelli (ID, Italian) and four of her assistants, the EPPO said on Monday 27 February.
The assistants were paid by the European Parliament, but did not carry out activities related to their role as parliamentary assistants, or hardly ever did so, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office said. The fraud is estimated at €172,148.
Moreover, it is believed the MEP herself may have benefited from the sums paid by the European Parliament for the work of the four assistants, according to the evidence from the preliminary investigation.
The seizure was carried out by the financial police in Brescia, Italy, and included bank accounts as well as luxury cars. The Italian courts of law will have to judge whether the individuals are indeed guilty of fraud. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)