EU Consultant Sentenced for Attempted Banking Fraud: First EPPO Verdict in Belgium

Background

• Brussels, 9 October 2023: A consultant working for EU institutions has been sentenced for attempted banking fraud.
• This marks the first Belgian court ruling in a case investigated and prosecuted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).

The Incident

• occurred in December 2021 and January 2022
• consultant submitted duplicate time sheets
• aimed to secure double payment
• from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS)

Investigation and Discovery

• report from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
• taken up by the Belgian Federal Police’s Central Unit for Economic Crime (CDGEFID/OCDEFO)
• operating under EPPO’s supervision

Court Ruling and Penalty

• Correctional Chamber of the Dutch-speaking Tribunal of First Instance in Brussels
• defendant was handed
  • six-month suspended prison sentence
  • fined €8,000
• 30 days to appeal the decision

EU’s Independent Public Prosecution Office

• EPPO is responsible for
  • investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to justice
  • crimes targeting the financial interests of the European Union