Belgian federal police are conducting an investigation into possible misuse of European funds by Flemish Euro MM Tom Vandendriessche (far right/Vlaams Belang). News of the investigation was reported in various Flemish media and has been confirmed by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. A complaint by a former employee of Mr Vandendriessche triggered the investigation.
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European public prosecutor launches investigation into Vlaams Belang Euro MP Tom Vandendriessche for possible misuse of funds
Colin Clapson
Published:
On June 5, just before the elections, news outlets Apache and Humo revealed that the European anti-fraud office OLAF had opened an investigation into Tom Vandendriesche. That investigation followed a complaint by a former employee. According to this worker, almost all Vlaams Belang staff in the European Parliament were called on to carry out assignments for the party that had nothing to do with the EU.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) that investigates, prosecutes and tries crimes against the EU’s financial interests then launched an investigation.
"Complaint out of spite"
The EPPO's preliminary investigation provided sufficient material to launch an investigation proper. No examining judge has been appointed yet, but Belgian federal police can start to question witnesses, suspects, confront people with each other and stage raids and mount seizures.
Tom Vandendriessche says a mudslinging campaign against him is underway.
His Vlaams Belang party argues there is only one complaint and the former employee is acting out of spite. The party strongly maintains that European funds were never used used improperly.
Earlier an investigation into possible misuse of European funds by Flemish liberal Euro MP Hilde Vautmans (Open VLD) was also launched.