Vallo di Lauro, PNRR funds for agriculture: over €100 in illegal contributions discovered

Vallo di Lauro – Over €100.000 in public contributions from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) were intercepted and are now the subject of an investigation into fraud and misappropriation of public funds. This is the outcome of a series of targeted inspections conducted by the Guardia di Finanza (Financial Police) of Avellino, specifically by the Baiano branch, as part of ongoing controls aimed at protecting national and European public spending.

The Guardia di Finanza (Italian Finance Police) has scrutinized two separate agricultural companies in the Vallo di Lauro area, accused of circumventing the strict regulatory requirements set by the "Parco Agrisolare" (Agri-Solar Park) measure.

The scams: fake rural buildings and inflated consumption

The first line of investigation revealed a complex logistical and legal conspiracy between a beneficiary company and a third-party company, completely unrelated to the agricultural sector. By exploiting the shared use of the company headquarters and photovoltaic system, the perpetrators had managed to "contrive" and artificially inflate the actual energy demand. This carefully planned maneuver was designed to circumvent the legal requirement of exclusive self-consumption, thus pocketing an illicit contribution of approximately €70.000.

The second case involved a loan request for over €29.000. In this case, cross-checks and on-site inspections revealed the complete lack of fiscal rurality of the building on which the solar panels had been installed, further revealing an irremediable urban planning incompatibility.

While the company applied for the funds, tying them to agricultural use (with the obligation to maintain that use for at least five years), it simultaneously submitted a SCIA (Consciousness and Ethics Authority) to convert the property into a residential dwelling. Once the inspections were underway, the company unsuccessfully attempted to renounce the benefit.

Reports and recovery of funds

The operation concluded with the referral of the owners of the companies involved to the Avellino Public Prosecutor's Office. However, the legal situation is also complicated for the professionals who prepared the appraisals and project certifications: they are facing charges of ideological forgery in certificates (committed by individuals providing a public service) and ideological forgery in a public document by a private individual.

At the same time, the procedure for the complete forfeiture of the incentives has been initiated. The Guardia di Finanza has already forwarded formal reports to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) and the Energy Services Manager (GSE) to initiate the freezing and forced recovery of the funds, while the Court of Auditors remains under review regarding the damage to the public treasury.

The intervention confirms the Guardia di Finanza's strong commitment to safeguarding European Union resources, protecting the healthy economic fabric, and businesses operating in full compliance with the rules. Those under investigation, it should be remembered, are presumed innocent until a final conviction.