Fraud, mismanagement and nepotism: The Committee of Independent Experts and the fall of the European Commission 1999

Abstract

The collective resignation of the Commission of the European Communities in March 1999 was unprecedented. It followed public allegations of fraud, mismanagement and nepotism within the organisation, an unsuccessful vote of censure in the European Parliament, and the establishment of a Committee of Independent Experts in January 1999 to investigate and report within less than two months. The report, compiled by a group of senior public auditors and lawyers, defined the standards of conduct required of senior European Union officials. It identified, through selective investigation of cases, serious instances of fraud by some permanent officials, poor administrative, budgetary, and management practices, and failures of supervision by Commissioners. It stated clearly the principles of individual and collective responsibility of Commissioners for policy implementation and the conduct of the permanent administration. The day after the report's publication, the twenty Commissioners resigned.