News Lawsuit
Public Prosecution Service deals with subsidy fraud in Groningen
On Monday 21 January, a mechanization company from Midwolda in Groningen, together with a number of farmers, was in court in Zwolle. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) accuses these companies of committing fraud with subsidies on machines.
The Public Prosecution Service says that the case is not unique, but that many more companies have enriched themselves with such subsidies. It probably concerns the POP3 subsidies on the new machines with GPS technology (which also work on a site-specific basis), so writes RTV North.
Bill too high
In order to be eligible (and to be entered), you must first submit an offer. When the application is recognised, the ministry asks for an order confirmation and invoice. These were submitted, but the machine eventually delivered turned out to be cheaper in practice, the Public Prosecution Service believes. A total of €220.000 in subsidies would have been wrongly received.
The mechanization company from Midwolda would have done this for at least 9 farmers. Six of these have now reached a settlement in exchange for a guilty plea. They are therefore not justified.
Cell, community service and fines
The Public Prosecution Service started a criminal investigation in 2015, after a report about the mechanization company. This report was made by an accountant. The co-director and 1 representative were tried in Zwolle on Monday 21 January. In addition, 3 farmers were also on trial.
The OM demands 9 months in prison against the main suspect, reports Newspaper of the North† His son is being sentenced to 3 months in prison and 240 hours of community service. The farmers involved will receive community service of up to 100 hours and a fine of up to €6.600. The Public Prosecution Service has not reported whether it will convict more companies.
Niels van der Boom
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