Tartu Mill was charged in mid-December with participating in €1.2 million in VAT fraud. The company considers the charge unjustified, arguing that only a former employee was involved.

According to charges, Tartu Mill submitted false data in its VAT returns from January 2012 through September 2013. The company's former purchasing manager is accused of running the fraudulent scheme with the help of an eight-member criminal group. Collected evidence indicated that members of the crime ring used more than 30 front companies to declare transactions which in reality did not take place.

The fronts billed Tartu Mill for these ostensible transactions for which the company transferred the money into the accounts of the cover companies controlled by the criminal group, from where the cash moved to members of the group including the purchasing manager. The cash was used to pay the actual suppliers of grain and rapeseed as well as fund the group's operation, including payments to its members.

Six members of the group accepted a plea bargain in the first-tier Tartu County Court in 2014.

If found guilty, Tartu Mill could be fined up to €16 million.