62022TJ0162_INF
Judgment of the General Court (Tenth Chamber) of 19 April 2023 –OQ v Commission
(Case T‑162/22) (
1
)
(Civil Service – Officials – Disciplinary proceedings – Disciplinary penalty – Removal from post without reduction of entitlement to a pension – Article 10 of Annex IX to the Staff Regulations – Proportionality – Obligation to state reasons)
1.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Extenuating circumstance – Addiction of the interested party – Not included
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex IX, Art. 10(a), (c), (d) and (f))
(see paragraphs 28, 39, 43, 51)
2.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Aggravating circumstances –Conduct of an official exposing the integrity, reputation or interests of the institution to a risk of harm – Included – No need to demonstrate knowledge of the facts on the part of persons outside the institution
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex IX, Art. 10(b))
(see paragraph 33)
3.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Extenuating circumstance – Cooperation on the part of the interested party – Included – Limits
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex IX, Art. 10(e))
(see paragraphs 46-48)
4.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Extenuating circumstance – Good conduct of the interested party – Exclusion where serious and long-term infringements
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex IX, Art. 10(g) and (i))
(see paragraph 55)
5.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Extenuating circumstance – No repeated action or behaviour – Not included – No risk of repetition in the future – Not included
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex IX, Art. 10(h))
(see paragraph 60)
6.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Legality – No disciplinary proceedings initiated against another official or application of a less severe penalty for similar acts – Irrelevant
(Staff Regulations of Officials, Annex IX, Art. 10)
(see paragraph 83)
7.
Officials – Disciplinary measures – Penalty – Discretion of the appointing authority – No obligation to follow the opinion issued by the Disciplinary Board
(see paragraph 91)
Operative part
The Court:
1.
Dismisses the action;
2.
Orders OQ to bear his own costs and to pay those incurred by the European Commission.
(
1
)	OJ C 198, 16.5.2022.