The EU spends $65 billion a year on farm subsidies, intended to support farmers and keep rural communities alive. Our investigation found that in Hungary and Central and Eastern Europe that money funds oligarchs, populists and the "agricultural Mafia." nyti.ms/36wXSqR
In Hungary, thousands of acres of state land in the county home of far-right prime minister Viktor Orban was auctioned off to his family and friends, who then qualified for millions in subsidies. One friend is now one of the richest men in the country. nyti.ms/36wXSqR 
And in the Czech Republic, the most prominent recipient of EU farm subsidies is Andrej Babis — the prime minister. Our analysis found that his companies collected at least $42 million in subsidies last year. nyti.ms/36wXSqR
The farm subsidy is by far the biggest line item in the EU budget and it's shrouded in secrecy. The EU maintains a database on where the money is going, but refused to provide The New York Times a copy. nyti.ms/33gHedc
The corruption that allows the wealthy and well-connected to make millions off a program meant for rural communities has created a modern feudalism that relies on fear. "Once you're on a black list," one family farmer said, "that's it." nyti.ms/36wXSqR
Olvassák el a kutatásunkat magyarul nyti.ms/2oKVVpP
EU officials, questioned on Monday about revelations of corruption in the farm subsidy program, said that outright fraud was rare, but acknowledged that law enforcement often falls to the same national leaders who warp the system — and benefit from it nyti.ms/2POA5wP
