EU rocked as ex-top official accused of fraud and corruption | World | News
Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has been formally charged with procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and breach of professional confidentiality, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Wednesday. The EPPO added that he, along with two others, were detained and subsequently released as part of the ongoing EU fraud investigation because they were not considered a flight risk.
It was stated that the investigation concerned “suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for young diplomats” at the European Union Diplomatic Academy. The program is carried out by the College of Europe in Bruges, of which Mogherini has been director since 2022, and is aimed at young diplomats from EU countries.
It was stated that the other two suspects were senior staff of the College of Europe and a senior official from the European Commission.
Reuters cited three sources, one of whom was senior EU diplomat Stefano Sannino.
Cesare Zegretti, co-director of the College of Europe’s administrative education, training and projects office, was reported to be the third person, a source told Politico.
The EPPO said it had “strong suspicions” that “fair competition” rules were breached when the European External Action Service (EEAS) allowed the College of Europe to establish its diplomatic academy.
The investigation focuses on whether the university was informed about the selection criteria before the proposal to establish the academy was published.
The statement included the following: “Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts.
“The facts examined were first reported to OLAF [European Anti-Fraud Office]. These may constitute procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and breach of professional confidentiality.
“The investigation is ongoing to clarify the facts and assess whether any wrongdoing has occurred.”
This followed raids on the EU’s diplomatic service in Brussels, the College of Europe and the suspects’ homes.
No one has been charged and the investigating judge will decide within 48 hours whether further action will be taken, another source told Politico.
The College of Europe said it “remains committed to the highest standards of integrity, fairness and compliance in both academic and administrative matters.”
