Over 1.6 million undue compensation, 92 fishermen reported for fraud in Oristano

Over 1 million and 600 thousand euros unduly received by 92 fishermen belonging to three cooperatives who declared, contrary to the reality of the facts, to be engaged in fishing activities in areas subject to evacuation due to military exercises.

This is what was discovered by the military of the Guardia di Finanza, Naval Operational Section of Oristano , as part of the "Promontory's Funds" investigation, aimed at verifying the preparatory procedures for issuing "compensation to economic operators for the clearing of bodies of water" affected by military exercises.

The 2016 supplementary Memorandum of Understanding, signed between the Ministry of Defense and the Region of Sardinia, included the Capo Frasca shooting range among the military structures that give entitlement to indemnities, adding to the list of marinerie beneficiaries of the indemnity also those registered to the Maritime Compartment of Oristano, with the exception of those registered in the Maritime District of Bosa and those operating in inland waters with no outlet to the sea.

THE INVESTIGATIONS - The investigations of the financiers concentrated in the period 2015 - 2019 , had as their objective the verification of the correct correspondence between the provisions of the assignment notice with respect to the real activities of the companies receiving the compensation, with reference to the sea area affected by the polygon of Capo Frasca .

From the analysis of the documents, which attested the traceability of the catch up to delivery to retailers, the presence of fish species was found mainly present in the lagoon and in the pond and not even in the open sea. From this, it was concluded that the activities of some fishing vessels, beneficiaries of the compensation, had not actually been carried out in the area affected by the military exercises.

From the controlled invoices it also emerged a small quantity of fish , significantly lower than that required by law.

Many boats also had as their means of propulsion only the oars and the position of the moorings of two companies had, and still has, as an outlet to the sea only a channel, through which navigation to get to the sea is difficult if not impossible. open and therefore up to the sea area affected by military exercises.

The investigations concluded with the reporting to the judicial authorities of 92 people for " aggravated fraud to obtain public funds" (a crime punishable by imprisonment from 1 to 6 years). The 92 reported also the false declaration through the presentation of untruthful documents and the "undue receipt of funds to the detriment of the State", an offense punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years.

(Unioneonline / vl)