Swathe of harassment and fraud in EU laid bare
The internal report, obtained by The Telegraph, highlights almost 100 investigations into European Commission officials for a wide range of misdemeanours, many of which were punished with a mere slap on the wrist.
There were probes into a money-laundering scheme, an official stealing cash from colleagues and dozens of cases of sexual and psychological harassment.
The report, which is usually hidden from the public by Eurocrats, was only released as part of a Freedom of Information request.
Frank Furedi, of the MCC Brussels think tank, which helped unearth the documents, said: 'The numerous cases of disciplinary proceedings serve as testimony to the poor standard of behaviour inside the institutions of the EU.
'Yet we know from anecdotal evidence that far too many examples of inappropriate behaviour do not become targets of disciplinary proceedings.'
He added: 'The real problem is the lack of decisive and ethical leadership from those in charge of EU units.'
The Investigatory and Disciplinary Office of the Commission (Idoc) investigated 88 new cases last year, resulting in only one dismissal.
Allegations of either sexual or psychological harassment featured in 21 of the investigations.
In one case, an official was penalised with a €2,000-a-month deduction from their overall pay package for 18 months after they were found to have 'adopted seriously inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment'.
The unusually high penalty was justified because 'the misconduct was recurrent and that it seriously disrupted the working environment'.
The official in question had attempted to justify their behaviour as a result of a 'medical condition', but this excuse was thrown out by investigators.
Another anonymous official working at an overseas EU delegation was given a mere warning after being accused of 'inappropriate behaviour towards colleagues, including investigating about colleagues' lives and whereabouts, threatening them to obtain private information about them, questioning their religious choices and commenting on their looks'.
The perpetrator was let off without any serious punishment because they owned up to their actions, apologised and improved behaviour at work, the report said.
In another case highlighted by Idoc's report, a senior member of staff was reprimanded for having 'intimate relationships' with two juniors under his command.
The head of unit – a middle manager role in the Commission – failed to report the relationships as a 'conflict of interest' even after he was alerted to the misdemeanours.
The report reveals how officials stole from both their colleagues and the EU taxpayers who fund the Commission.
One official was demoted a grade – which could result in the docking of thousands of euros in wages – for 'having stolen cash from colleagues'.
A contractor was reprimanded for transporting their family in a EU-owned 'service vehicle', broke public parking rules and 'enabled, through this negligent behaviour, the theft of the said vehicle'.
A retired official had their pension reduced to the minimum amount for a period of 10 years because they were found guilty of being involved in 'a money-laundering scheme involving mainly a company which benefited from EU funds and its owners'.
As well as the more serious offences, there were slaps on the wrists handed out for more petty behaviour.
One official, who had 20 years service, got away with a warning after they 'deliberately deleted … a folder that was necessary to organise the daily work of the unit' from a shared drive.
Five officials were ticked off for leaking 'non-public information', 12 'breaches of loyalty' and two cases of inappropriate use of social media.
In one case, an official was demoted by one grade for being found guilty of a crime by a court in an EU member state. They had also published 'articles' in an online newspaper relating to Brussels without prior 'authorisation'.
As part of Idoc's work last year, it launched an outreach campaign titled 'Say no to temptations, they might have disciplinary consequences!'.
It featured seven training sessions available to EU officials, which featured 'case studies based on anonymised Idoc cases … given to raise awareness on what is appropriate or forbidden to pursue as EU staff members'.
HR personnel also gave 'tailor-made presentations' to officials being handed high-ranking jobs, such as head of units or heads of overseas delegations.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is China Dodging US Tariffs? Direct Exports To America Plunge 43% As Vietnam And Indonesia See Big Spurts: Report
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. China's exports to the United States have plunged over 43% year-over-year in May, representing a $15 billion drop in trade value, yet at the same time, China's total exports have increased 4.8%, according to official figures, despite the trade and tariff-related turbulence. What Happened: On Monday, in a post on X, The Kobeissi Letter shared the latest trade data coming in official Chinese sources, hinting at the rerouting of goods to circumvent the current U.S. trade and tariff regime. The post notes that exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) rose 15% year-over-year during the month, while shipments to the European Union climbed 12%. Meanwhile, there was a 30% spike in Chinese exports routed through Vietnam, and a similar 25% increase via Indonesia. Trending: GoSun's Breakthrough Rooftop EV Charger Already Has 2,000+ Units Reserved — These figures have since fueled speculations that China is shifting its trade strategy, rerouting exports through regional partners to maintain global market access while reducing direct exposure to U.S. tariffs. This comes amid growing efforts made by the U.S. Government to close potential backdoors for Chinese goods. The recent trade deal with Vietnam, which involved a 40% tariff on rerouted goods, is largely aimed at the same, and is thus being seen as a 'proxy trade war' with China. Why It Matters: Economists believe that President Donald Trump's 40% tariff on rerouted goods from Vietnam could warrant backlash from China, with economist Rana Sajedi saying that it might be seen as a direct challenge, leading to targeted trade measures. The U.S. has also been urging Vietnam to reduce its reliance on Chinese technologies that are used in the production of goods that are later exported. Experts have long viewed tariffs as an opportunity for rerouting and transshipment, rather than a threat. 'During 2018-19 when similar tariffs were put into effect, cargo was rerouted through Southeast Asia, Mexico and Europe, and a similar pattern is emerging now,' says Moritz Fuhrmann, the Co-CEO of MPC Container Ships ASA (OTC:MPZZF). Read Next: Named a TIME Best Invention and Backed by 5,000+ Users, Kara's Air-to-Water Pod Cuts Plastic and Costs — And You Can Invest At Just $6.37/Share Arrived Home's Private Credit Fund's has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%*, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. Photo courtesy: / This article Is China Dodging US Tariffs? Direct Exports To America Plunge 43% As Vietnam And Indonesia See Big Spurts: Report originally appeared on
Business Insider
39 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Why European Leaders Are Demanding Action Against Elon Musk's AI Chatbot
Tensions between Elon Musk's xAI and European leaders are escalating after offensive comments were made by the company's chatbot, Grok, on the social media platform X. German politician Ralf Stegner called the antisemitic posts 'unacceptable' and pushed for sanctions, according to Handelsblatt. In Poland, the government urged the European Union to investigate xAI and consider issuing fines after Grok made crude remarks about Polish politicians. The EU is already reviewing X under its Digital Services Act and is reportedly considering calculating penalties based on revenue from Musk's other businesses, which could significantly raise the potential fine, according to Bloomberg. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. The situation could become more serious if the EU opens a separate investigation focused on Grok. xAI responded to the backlash by saying that it had started removing harmful posts and was working to stop hate speech before it appears on X. Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for EU digital policy, said that platforms like X are required to monitor and manage risks from AI tools like Grok. In addition, Germany's Johannes Schätzl called for the EU to move quickly on its investigation after accusing Musk of using Grok to spread extreme content. At the same time, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister, Krzysztof Gawkowski, said that if Grok's hate speech continues, the EU should consider blocking access to X altogether. In Poland, Grok came under fire for insulting politicians' looks and personal lives. Similar concerns surfaced in Turkey after Grok made controversial comments about President Erdogan. Turkey's infrastructure minister warned that X could be banned unless steps are taken to control such content. Interestingly, it is worth noting that this wouldn't be unprecedented, as Brazil briefly banned X last year. What Is the Prediction for Tesla Stock? When it comes to Elon Musk's companies, most of them are privately held. However, retail investors can invest in his most popular company, Tesla (TSLA). Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on TSLA stock based on 13 Buys, 13 Holds, and nine Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average TSLA price target of $294.42 per share implies that shares are trading near fair value.
The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Ship attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels sinks in the Red Sea, 6 of 25 aboard rescued
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Liberian-flagged cargo ship attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels sank Wednesday in the Red Sea, and a European naval force in the Mideast said only six of the 25 people who were on board have been rescued. The attack on the Eternity C, which also killed at least three of the crew, represents the most serious assault carried out by the Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where $1 trillion in cargo once passed through annually. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones in a campaign the rebels describe as supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war. The Iranian-backed rebels stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weekslong campaign of airstrikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The attack on the Eternity C, as well as the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in another attack Sunday, raise new questions about the Red Sea's safety as ships had slowly begun returning to its waters. Meanwhile, a new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear program — remain in the balance. 'We are now with grave concern seeing an escalation in the Red Sea with attacks on two commercial ships earlier this week by Ansar Allah, resulting in civilian loss of life and casualties as well as the potential for environmental damage,' warned United Nations special envoy Hans Grundberg, using another name for the rebels. A statement from the European Union naval mission in the Red Sea said the crew of the ship included 22 sailors, among them 21 Filipinos and one Russian, as well as a three-member security team. Those rescued were five Filipinos and one Indian. Three people also were killed during the hourslong attack on the ship, the EU force said, and their nationalities were not immediately known. The armed rebels had attacked the ship with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, later using two drones and two drone boats carrying bombs to strike the vessel, the EU force said. The Eternity C sank at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, it added. The ship, flagged out of Liberia but owned by a Greek firm, likely had been targeted like the Magic Seas over its firm doing business with Israel. Neither vessel apparently requested an escort from the EU force. The U.S. military has two aircraft carriers in the Mideast, the USS Nimitz and the USS Carl Vinson, but both likely are in the Arabian Sea, far from the site of the attacks. There are two American destroyers believed to be operating in the Red Sea. However, the ships attacked had no U.S. ties and a ceasefire between the Houthis and America announced after the bombing campaign earlier this year still appears to be holding. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, claimed the attack in a prerecorded message Wednesday night as the EU force acknowledged it was still searching for those onboard with private industry rescuers. The Houthis later released footage of them launching missiles at the Eternity C. The bridge appeared heavily damaged by the attack and oil leaked from the vessel. The ship took on water from holes along its waterline before sinking beneath the waves, the rebels chanting: 'God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.' The Houthis released a similar video after their attack on the tanker Sounion in August 2024 and on Tuesday from their attack on the Magic Seas. In the Philippines, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said he has been leading an effort to reach out to the families of the missing Filipino sailors to update them on the search and rescue efforts. 'It's human nature that one should be terribly worried and distraught about the situation,' Cacdac told The Associated Press by telephone. 'It's our role in government to be there for them in their utmost hour of need to ensure that not just government services but throughout this hand-holding process, we will provide the necessary support.' The attacks on the ships drew international condemnation. 'These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security,' U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. 'The United States has been clear: We will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks.' The EU force earlier said one of the wounded crew lost his leg. Grundberg, the U.N. envoy, also decried the targeting of civilian infrastructure after Israel bombed three Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen over the weekend and hit a power station. 'Yemen must not be drawn deeper into regional crises that threaten to unravel the already extremely fragile situation in the country,' he warned during an address to the Security Council. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press showed new damage at Yemen's rebel-controlled port at Hodeida after it was targeted by the Israeli airstrikes. The images from Planet Labs PBC showed new portions of the pier at the port torn away by Israeli bombing, likely to affect the unloading of cargo there. In conducting the strikes, Israel said the Houthis used the port to smuggle military equipment into the country, a growing worry of analysts and Yemen watchers in recent years. Hodeida is the main entry point for food and other humanitarian aid for millions of Yemenis. Jamal Amer, a Houthi official, reportedly said Wednesday that shipments continue to arrive 'smoothly' to Hodeida. In comments published by the Houthis' al-Masirah satellite channel, Amer also said that damage at the port 'directly affects civilians and is a disgrace to the United Nations, which is complicit in these crimes through its suspicious silence.' Yemen's war began when the Houthis seized Sanaa in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's exiled government considered trying to retake Hodeida by force in 2018, but ultimately decided against it as international criticism and worries about the port being destroyed grew.
