Two former European Investment Bank (EIB) members – including its former president Werner Hoyer - are being investigated for corruption, the European Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) announced in a statement on Monday.
The probe was initiated after suspicions of corruption, abuse of influence, and misappropriation of EU funds, were reported by the European Anti-Fraud Office. The EIB has now agreed to lift the immunity of its two former employees for the purpose of the investigation.
Though the EPPO did not disclose the identity of the suspects in its statement, former EIB president, Werner Hoyer, is facing a corruption case, his lawyer confirmed.
"The allegations against me are downright absurd and, unfounded," Hoyer explained in a statement sent to Politico via his lawyer. In the same statement, he confirmed to be fully co-operating with the European prosecutors.
Hoyer's lawyer further elaborated that the investigation focuses on the compensation paid to an EIB employee after their departure.
The EPPO has stated it will not publicise any further details on this ongoing investigation for the time being.
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is an institution independent from the European Union. It investigates and prosecutes financial crimes against the EU.
