Key facts
- EU prosecutors are investigating alleged corruption at the European Economic and Social Committee.
- The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) received the case from OLAF.
- Allegations involve conflicts of interest in fund management and attempts to identify a whistleblower.
The EU’s antifraud watchdog, OLAF, has forwarded allegations of potential corruption and conflicts of interest at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The EESC, based in Brussels, advises the EU on proposed legislation and policy and is financed by the EU. OLAF received a report from whistleblowers earlier this year concerning the management of funds at the EESC. The EESC confirmed it was informed of the transmission to EPPO and stated that its president had proactively referred the allegations to OLAF when they first arose. The committee added that it remains committed to integrity and transparency and respects the independence of the process. OLAF has also been investigating separate claims that EESC executives attempted to identify a staff whistleblower who had raised concerns about funding issues.