Consultant Convicted of Attempted Financial Fraud in First EPPO Verdict in Belgium

(Luxembourg, October 9, 2023)

A consultant working for EU institutions has been convicted of attempted fraud in the first Belgian court judgment of a case prosecuted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

Details of the Case

• The consultant, who worked as an IT software developer, was accused of submitting duplicate time sheets for the same working days between December 2021 and January 2022.
• This deceitful act aimed to secure double payment from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Discovery and Investigation

• The case came to light following a report from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
• An investigation ensued, led by the Belgian Federal Police’s Central Unit for Economic Crime (CDGEFID/OCDEFO), all under the supervision of the EPPO.

Trial and Sentencing

• The trial took place at the Correctional Chamber of the Dutch-speaking Tribunal of First Instance in Brussels (Nederlandstalige correctionele rechtbank).
• The defendant was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and fined €8,000 on October 6, 2023.

Appeal and EPPO’s Role

• The parties have 30 days to appeal the decision.
• As the EU’s independent public prosecution service, the EPPO is tasked with investigating, prosecuting, and bringing judgments for crimes that threaten the financial interests of the European Union.

Significance of the Conviction

This significant conviction serves as a clear message to anyone intent on defrauding the EU and its institutions: The EPPO is actively enforcing the law and ensuring justice is served.