An employee leaves the EU development bank and collects money. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is now investigating whether this is legal. The German ex-boss is also in the crosshairs.
The former President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Werner Hoyer, is facing allegations of corruption.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is investigating corruption and abuse of influence as well as embezzlement of EU funds, according to a statement. In this context, the immunity of the German Hoyer and another former EIB employee was lifted, as Hoyer’s lawyer confirmed. Hoyer expressly asked for his immunity to be lifted so that the allegations could be clarified.
Specifically, according to lawyer Nikolaos Gazeas, the case concerns the departure of a former employee of the EU development bank and a severance payment paid in connection with this. As usual, the Director General for Human Resources and the Secretary General of the EIB discussed a corresponding termination agreement, he said. After this, according to his information, they presented Hoyer with a so-called memorandum that recommended the termination of the employment relationship and the payment of severance pay in the negotiated amount and declared it to be legally permissible. Hoyer agreed to this – at the time as President – as usual and is therefore included in the investigation.
Hoyer: Allegations “completely absurd and baseless”
The accusations against him are “completely absurd and baseless,” said Hoyer. “I now expect a comprehensive clarification and ask the EIB to fully cooperate with the EPPO.” He is also fully cooperating with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and is demanding that they fully clarify the facts. There is nothing to hide. Hoyer has asked the development bank to make all files and information relating to this personnel matter available.
His lawyer Gazeas continued that they are calm about the investigation. Because the legal requirements for the EPPO to initiate criminal investigations are very low, it is not unusual for the signatory of a contract to be involved in an investigation.
The 72-year-old Hoyer headed the Luxembourg-based bank from 2012 until the end of last year. Before that, the former FDP politician worked as parliamentary group manager of the Liberals in the Bundestag, FDP general secretary, foreign policy spokesman and Minister of State in the Foreign Office, among other things.
Since this year, the Spaniard Nadia Calviño has held the top position. The EIB, with more than 4,000 employees, claims to be the world’s largest development bank and, as an EU institution, is responsible for long-term financing. The owners are the member states. The bank is fundamentally intended to finance investments that contribute to achieving the EU’s political goals.
Source: Stern
