Seven People Charged in €13.5 Million Subsidy Fraud Case Dating to 2021

Slovak prosecutors have filed charges against seven individuals in connection with a subsidy fraud scheme that caused losses exceeding €13.5 million to the Pezinok Labor Office. The fraud, which dates to 2021, targeted the labor office in Pezinok, a town near Bratislava, which is one of the regional offices responsible for administering employment support payments and state subsidies to businesses and individuals. The case represents one of the larger subsidy fraud prosecutions in recent years, with the charges bringing the suspects a step closer to trial. Subsidy fraud involving labor offices attracted particular scrutiny in Slovakia following the COVID-19 pandemic, during which the government distributed large volumes of financial support to employers and workers, creating opportunities for fraudulent claims.