They allegedly received unlawful public funding, using false contracts, false certifications, and even the simulation of livestock theft. This is what emerged from investigations conducted by the Carabinieri of the Nuoro Provincial Command as part of checks on the regularity of funding allocated to the agricultural sector and rural development. The investigative activities are part of a broader strategy to combat EU fraud in the agricultural sector, promoted in collaboration between the Nuoro Public Prosecutor's Office and the Carabinieri Provincial Command, with the aim of ensuring the proper allocation of public resources.
During the investigation coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Court of Nuoro, the Carabinieri of the Budoni Station have remanded three individuals, shareholders and directors of a company with registered office in Desulo, under suspicion of aggravated fraud for the purpose of obtaining public funds. According to the findings, the suspects allegedly entered into false lease agreements for land located in the Budoni area in order to improperly obtain grants from ARGEA, receiving undue sums totaling €303,099. The Court of Nuoro has ordered the three individuals to stand trial.
In Gavoi, Carabinieri officers from the local station have reported a local farmer for alleged aggravated fraud to obtain public funds and forgery by a private individual in a public deed. The man allegedly falsely certified, in company records for the years 2020 to 2025, ownership of numerous plots of land, also simulating free loan agreements with his deceased wife. In this way, he allegedly obtained undue contributions totaling €82,366.27. Investigations have established, in both cases, that the actual owners of the land were completely unaware that the land registry data relating to their lands was being used to submit applications for European funding.
A further incident was reported by the Carabinieri of the Orotelli station, who reported a local farmer for similar alleged crimes. According to investigators, the man faked the theft of 350 sheep to justify their absence during a census conducted by the Local Health Authority on his farm. The alleged fraud allowed him to unduly receive ARGEA contributions amounting to approximately €42,000.
