EU prosecutor probes EPP over consultant contracts

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the center-right European People’s Party over alleged misuse of funds in its contracts with two Greek consultants, a media consortium reported. The investigation centers on more than half a million euros awarded to two consultants ahead of the 2024 European election. The European Parliament, which finances European political parties, refused to reimburse the contracts in full after deeming the costs excessive. It covered only the initial €110,000 payments, leaving the EPP to pay roughly €350,000 itself, according to Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung, Dutch investigative outlet Follow the Money and Greece’s Inside Story. The consultants were hired to work on the party’s communications ahead of the election campaign. However, former EPP employees told reporters at the outlets that their fees were disproportionate to the work they delivered. The consultants disputed that assessment and said they had subsequently reimbursed part of the money. The EPPO neither confirmed nor denied the investigation, saying it could not comment in case it jeopardized any ongoing proceedings or their outcome. A spokesperson for the EPP said: “We have not been formally notified regarding this matter. The EPP fully respects the independence and mandate of the relevant authorities and remains committed to providing them complete transparency and full cooperation, should it be requested.”