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European Public Prosecutor’s Office launches investigation into MEP Hilde Vautmans

by AI | 16.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has launched an investigation into Member of the European Parliament Hilde Vautmans. She is accused by former employees of having used them for non-European tasks, but Vautmans herself denies this.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office confirms that it has opened a criminal investigation into Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open VLD).

Brussels – The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) confirmed on Tuesday that an investigation has been opened into MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open VLD). It is therefore not a judicial investigation, as the weekly magazine Knack reported on Monday evening. The investigation focuses on possible misuse of European funds.

“It is true that an investigation has been opened which will be conducted by the federal police under the direction of a European Delegated Prosecutor in Brussels,” EPPO said.

Former employees of Vautmans had testified in May that they had to carry out tasks that were unrelated to her work in the European Parliament, which is prohibited. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office subsequently asked the federal police to draw up a report based on the available information. Earlier this month, the Public Prosecutor’s Office received that report and determined that there are enough elements to start an investigation.

The investigation, conducted by the Central Service for the Fight against Organized Economic and Financial Crime (CDGEFID) of the federal police, also allows former employees of Vautmans to be questioned.
Vautmans, who was re-elected as an MEP in the June 9 election, denies the allegations.