Former European Anti-Fraud Office director, Giovanni Kessler, has received a one-year prison term in Brussels for illicitly tapping a former EU Health Commissioner's phone.
In the early 2010s, the European Anti-Fraud Office (Olaf) was alerted by Swedish Match, a tobacco company, about potential bribery involving then Health Commissioner, John Dalli from Malta. Dalli was alleged to have accepted bribes to boost the sales of 'snus', a moist tobacco powder primarily consumed in Sweden.
Under Kessler's direction, Olaf began its probe. Within his office, a covert phone call was set up between tobacco lobbyist Inge Delfosse and Silvio Zammit, a close associate of Dalli who has since deceased. This conversation was unlawfully recorded and later included in the investigative report.
Kessler, once an Italian investigating judge, managed to avoid a fine recommended by the federal prosecutor, but was sentenced to prison. He has a month to challenge the verdict. The case may also could face legal expiry issues, according to L’Echo.
