Czech officials sentenced for EU regional funds abuse

A series of Czech officials have been given jail and conditional sentences in connection with the fraudulent use of EU funds by a court on Wednesday. The top official, the former director of funding in the North-West region, Petr Kusnierz, was sentenced to seven years for fraud and influencing where funds were channelled. A former deputy governor of the Ústí nad Labem was given a three year suspended sentence. Four others accused were given suspended sentences or acquitted. Kusnierz’s sentenced was combined with a previous condition sentence for taking bribes. One example of the fraud permitted was the payment of funds for a new floor of a hotel in Most which had already been completed.

Author: Chris Johnstone