EU rocked as ex-top official accused of fraud and corruption

Federica Mogherini, the ex EU foreign policy chief, has been formally accused of procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Wednesday. Along with two others, she was detained and subsequently released as part of an ongoing EU fraud investigation as they were not considered a flight risk, the EPPO added.

It said the investigation concerns “suspected fraud related to EU-funded training for junior diplomats” at the European Union Diplomatic academy. The programme is run by the College of Europe in Bruges, of which Ms Mogherini has been director since 2022, and for junior diplomats from EU countries.

The two other suspects were referred to as a senior staff member at the College of Europe and a senior official from the European Comission.

One of them has been named by Reuters as senior EU diplomat Stefano Sannino, citing three sources.

Cesare Zegretti, the co-director of the College of Europe’s executive education, training and projects office, is reportedly the third persion, a source told Politico.

The EPPO said it has “strong suspicions” that “fair competition” rules were broken when the European External Action Service (EEAS) was allowed to set up the College of Europe’s diplomatic academy.

Its investigation is focusing on whether the college was tipped off about the selection criteria of the offer to set up the academy before it was published.

It added: “All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts of law.

“The facts under investigation were first reported to OLAF [European Anti-Fraud Office]. They could constitute procurement fraud, corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy.

“The investigation is ongoing to clarify the facts and assess whether any criminal offences have occurred.”

This follows raids of the EU’s diplomatic service in Brussels, the College of Europe, and the suspects’ homes.

No one has been charged and an investigative judge will decide within 48 hours whether to take further action, another source told Politico.

The College of Europe said it “remains committed to the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and compliance — both in academic and administrative matters”.