EU Consultant Sentenced for Attempted Fraud in First Case Prosecuted by Belgian EPPO

Background

Brussels, 9 October 2023 - In a significant decision, a Belgian court sentenced a consultant working for EU institutions on charges of attempted fraud. This marks the first judgment handed down in a case investigated and prosecuted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels.

The Consultant’s Offense

The consultant, who operated as an IT software developer for the EU institutions, submitted duplicate time sheets for the same working days during December 2021 and January 2022. The objective was to collect double payment from the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Triggering the Investigation

The instance leading to the investigation stemmed from a report by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). The Belgian Federal Police’s Central Unit for Economic Crime (CDGEFID/OCDEFO) took charge of the investigation under the supervision of the EPPO.

The Judgement

The Correctional Chamber of the Dutch-speaking Tribunal of First Instance in Brussels (Nederlandstalige correctionele rechtbank) ruled on 6 October 2023. The defendant was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and fined €8,000. Both parties have 30 days to appeal the ruling.

The Role of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO)

The EPPO is the European Union’s independent public prosecution office and performs a pivotal role in:

1. Investigating
2. Prosecuting
3. Bringing to justice

crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

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Credit: Belgian Justice Palace