Staff representatives at an EU body have appealed for outside help after accusing senior executive officials acting improperly to root out a mysterious anti-corruption whistleblower.
The European Economic and Social Committee, or EESC, has been shocked by the scandal that began in March when around 50 anonymous letter appeared at the employees’ desks accusing the general secretary of the body of awarding public contracts to her friends.
Three unions, wrote a joint email last Thursday, first reported by the Reporter, informing their colleagues that they have launched a formal complaint with the EU Ombudsman, Teresa Anjinho, over the efforts of the body’s leadership. to identify the person or persons behind the letters.
Séamus Boland, the president of the EESC, tasked two security officials with identifying what he called the “perpetrator” by conducting an extensive investigation, including collecting forensic evidence, accessing IT equipment and conducting interviews.
In their email on Thursday, the unions said the legal basis used to investigate the source of the anonymous letters alleging misconduct by the committee’s general secretary “has no legal basis that we know of”.
“This combination – broad investigative powers with an unclear legal basis – is not acceptable,” they wrote, saying they informed the Ombudsman on May 26. The unions accused the EESC of focusing on identifying the source of the allegations instead of addressing their substance.
Boland and his team framed him broad mandate given to the security team as part of efforts to convey a full picture to OLAF, the EU’s internal anti-fraud unit.
Cristiano Sebastiani, a representative of one of the three unions behind the complaint, said the episode showed how little faith EU civil servants have in their right to come forward and denounce wrongdoing in the institutions.
“They are convinced that if they blow the whistle, they will face very serious consequences and retaliation for their careers and even for their health. Without any real and effective protection,” said Sebastiani, who represents Renewal & Democracy union.
A spokeswoman for the People’s Advocate, which is tasked with investigating maladministration in EU institutions, has confirmed the receipt of the official complaint. “We are now processing it and will then make a decision on whether it is admissible – this is standard procedure for all complaints we receive,” she wrote in a statement.
In an ironic twist, the EESC, a body that provides non-binding policy recommendations to the EU, is itself preparing a ASSESSMENT of the European directive for the protection of whistleblowers.
Magnus Lund Nielsen contributed reporting
