Media: EU fraud probe triggers former diplomat’s exit from top academic post

Former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has stepped down as rector of the College of Europe following the launch of a fraud investigation, she announced in an email sent on December 4 to staff, students, and alumni.

Earlier this week, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) accused Mogherini and two others of procurement fraud and corruption in connection with College-related activities, Reuters reports.

Her lawyer said Mogherini “denied any wrongdoing and was cooperating with the investigation,” stressing that she intends to assist fully as the probe proceeds.

The EU's former foreign policy chief, Mogherini, has been accused of fraud as part of an EU investigation into the misuse of funds, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) confirmed.

The EPPO said searches were carried out on December 2 at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, headed by Mogherini, as well as the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels - the office she ran for five years as the bloc's top diplomat.

The investigation relates to EU-funded training for junior diplomats, the EPPO said.

As well as Mogherini, a senior College of Europe staff member and a senior official from the European Commission were detained, the prosecutor's office added.

According to the EPPO, the three were formally told of the allegations against them: "the accusations concern procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy."

The three accused were all subsequently released as they were not considered a flight risk and their homes were also searched.

After a reported 10 hours of questioning, Mogherini issued a statement saying "clarified my position with the investigators", adding that, "in its long tradition, the College has always applied and will continue to apply the highest standards of integrity and fairness".

"I have full confidence in the justice system, and I trust that the correctness of the College's actions will be ascertained. I will obviously continue to offer my full collaboration to the authorities," she said.

Under Belgian law, a person can be arrested then released without being charged, while remaining a suspect.

The EPPO said the investigation focused on a tender that the EEAS awarded to the College of Europe in 2021-2022.

The College of Europe is an independent school attended by aspiring EU civil servants. It is closely associated with and partly funded by the EU.

By Vafa Guliyeva