First six agreements signed under InnovFin Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain pilot

Hungarian public prosecutors have followed a recommendation from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and opened proceedings against individuals accused of illegally overcharging for the renovation of children's playgrounds using EU money. Prosecutors are calling for prison sentences for the fraudsters, who illegally pocketed more than €1.7 million in European and Hungarian funding. OLAF Director General Ville Itälä said: "I welcome the decision by the Hungarian authorities to bring proceedings against the fraudsters investigated by OLAF, in line with our initial recommendations. This was a clear case of fraud against EU and Hungarian taxpayer money, and it is good to see that the Hungarian prosecutors agree with this assessment. This case is a prime example of how OLAF and national judicial authorities work together to take on the fraudsters to ensure that every euro of European funding is spent as and where it should be. This kind of investigation is at the heart of what OLAF does and I am delighted that our collaboration with the Hungarian authorities in this case has led to such a positive outcome."