The case file names 15 MPs — 13 from the ruling New Democracy (ND), and one each from the opposition Pasok and Syriza parties — alongside regional officials and former agency executives.
Brazen conversations
Prosecutors requested wiretaps on the phones of OPEKEPE officials, among others, and the case file includes dozens of startlingly brazen conversations. These include high-ranking officials discussing how to remove European prosecutors from the investigation and MPs requesting favors for their constituents.
The file also contains the testimonies of two former OPEKEPE presidents, Grigoris Varras and Evangelos Simandrakos, who were fired by Avgenakis and Voridis for trying to block payments in fraudulent cases. The ministers pressured them to make the payments, the file says.
“Numerous transcribed conversations included in the case file show the action of criminal groups operating with the aim of illegally obtaining subsidies, as well as undermining and obstructing substantial audits that could have prevented the fraud,” EPPO says in a referral note, according to officials who have viewed it.
“Requesting the resignation of [former OPEKEPE president Grigoris] Varras seems to have halted the consolidation of the relevant procedures and gave the opportunity to these groups to continue these activities unhindered,” it added.
Earlier this month, the European Commission hit Greece with a fine of around €400 million for mismanaging EU farm funding and inadequate controls.
According to Greek and EU agriculture officials, more fines are expected to follow. Greece’s government said it will shut down OPEKEPE by next year and the farm payments will be conducted via the Independent Authority for Public Revenues.