# CE2004070EN.01012201.xml

| 20.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 70/122 |
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20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 70/122

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(2004/C 70 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2629/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(2 September 2003)

Subject:   Eurostat affair: disappearance of documents from OLAF's offices

Subject:

According to the German weekly ‘Stern’:

| — | the minutes of the hearing of a Eurostat official in May 2000 have disappeared from OLAF's file; |
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the minutes of the hearing of a Eurostat official in May 2000 have disappeared from OLAF's file;

| — | OLAF officials pointed out in an internal report last year that OLAF had failed to take a decision to investigate Eurostat, and also indicated that other documents had ‘vanished’. |
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OLAF officials pointed out in an internal report last year that OLAF had failed to take a decision to investigate Eurostat, and also indicated that other documents had ‘vanished’.

In the light of the above, could the Commission state:

| — | when it was that OLAF opened the investigation into Eurostat and when it closed it, which is to say when did it have the first ‘evidence’ relating to those persons whom it later referred to the courts? |
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when it was that OLAF opened the investigation into Eurostat and when it closed it, which is to say when did it have the first ‘evidence’ relating to those persons whom it later referred to the courts?

| — | whether the information provided by ‘Stern’ is correct and when and what action has been taken with regard to the disappearance of documents from OLAF's file? |
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whether the information provided by ‘Stern’ is correct and when and what action has been taken with regard to the disappearance of documents from OLAF's file?

Answer given by Ms Schreyer on behalf of the Commission

(17 October 2003)

(17 October 2003)

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) launched an initial investigation into one aspect of the activities of the Directorate-General for Eurostat in October 2000 following the presentation of an audit report and an analysis of the other documents. It subsequently launched a number of other investigations into aspects that still concerned Eurostat.

Also according to the information provided by OLAF, it should be pointed out that as of 2001 OLAF has ensured coordination between the different aspects at issue in the Eurostat affair and is devoting substantial resources to the Eurostat investigations. This coordination and the subsequent investigations have resulted in two files being handed over in July 2002 to the Luxembourg Public Prosecutor, who ordered the commencement of judicial proceedings in each case. Both procedures are still pending before the Luxembourg courts. In addition, on 19 March 2003 OLAF notified the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office of facts that could be classified as criminal offences. Judicial proceedings have been opened and are still ongoing.

Furthermore, the Commission has been informed by OLAF that it cannot confirm the disappearance of any documents, particularly documents relevant to a hearing of a Eurostat official in May 2000.

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