Audit Vlaanderen has conducted a fraud investigation into the former CEO of Flemish public employment agency VDAB, VRT has learned. Wim Adriaens resigned on Wednesday following an “ethical error in a personnel file”. The audit report was delivered to the Flemish government at the beginning of November.
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Investigation carried out into CEO of employment agency VDAB
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The nature of the error has not been disclosed. Adriaens and Employment minister Zuhal Demir are not providing any further information at this stage.
It has since emerged that a forensic audit was carried out last year into Adriaens. It related to several recruitments, at least one of which is said to have been conducted incorrectly, according to various sources.
The report was delivered to the Flemish government in November. It is not known what has happened to it since then and whether the report is the direct reason for the resignation.
This resignation raises a lot of questions. A forensic audit is only carried out in very serious cases
Adriaens has been CEO of VDAB since 2019. “I take responsibility for an ethical error I made and am stepping down as managing director because I do not want to jeopardise the future of the VDAB,” he said in a press release.
In an internal communication to staff, he said: “The reason for this is an ethical error I made in a personnel file, for which I want to take responsibility. It concerned the awarding of a fixed-term contract.”
Suspicion of irregularities
A forensic audit by Audit Vlaanderen is an investigation carried out when there are reports or indications of fraud, corruption or other serious irregularities within an organisation. The aim is to establish the facts, identify who is responsible and determine the extent of the damage.
The investigation looks at financial transactions, emails and other documents. Interviews are also conducted. Audit Vlaanderen then draws up a report with findings and recommendations based on this analysis. If criminal offences are identified, they are reported to the public prosecutor’s office.
Opposition party Groen wants Demir, of N-VA, to provide an explanation in parliament. “This is the most serious audit possible, which is cause for great concern,” says MP Eva Platteau. “This resignation raises a lot of questions. A forensic audit is only carried out in very serious cases.”