Didier Reynders money-laundering probe: premises of former Belgian Railways chief Jean-Claude Fontinoy raided

The searches happened last month. According to dailies De Standaard and Le Soir and investigative website Follow the Money investigators conducted a search of Jean-Claude Fontinoy's house in early June. He is the former chairman of the NMBS Belgian Railways board of directors and for many yearsReynders's (former) right-hand man.

According to investigative journalist Philippe Engels, Fontinoy was said to be a frequent customer at O. T's antiques shop and would have bought art and antiques almost daily for many years.

Money laundering investigation into Didier Reynders

The searches are part of the ongoing judicial investigation into former European Commissioner and former Belgian minister Didier Reynders. He is suspected of having laundered EUR 1 million, partly through lottery tickets from the National Lottery. Reynders denies this.

Twosome Fontinoy-Reynders

The judicial authorities have not named Fontinoy or Reynders or O.T. as a suspect. However, it would not be the first time that suspicions were aired against Fontinoy and Reynders.

During the 2012 and 2014 election campaigns, for instance, Fontinoy allegedly asked his personal drivers - who were employed by the rail company - to distribute Reynders's campaign material. This is against the law. Philippe Engels wrote about this in his book, “Le clan Reynders”.

Their names also occur in connection with the extremely expensive renovations of the railway  stations in Liège and Mons. In addition, Fontinoy is said in a short time to have built a huge real estate empire. According to Engels, he owns half the properties in the Walloon village of Mozet.

Hard evidence that Fontinoy or Reynders ever broke the law in these cases is lacking.