Months after the Cathargate epidemic, her pre-trial detention, and then the Belgian justice’s decision to release her with an electronic bracelet, a Politico report reveals that Eva Kylie faces another investigation.

In particular, the documents cited by Politico reveal new information about a separate criminal investigation involving a Greek MEP and concerns alleged suspicious payments to four former colleagues in the European Parliament between 2014 and 2020.

This research focuses on Three Potentially Criminal Actions by Kylie: firstly, about whether the European Parliament misled about the place and content of the activities of its partners. Secondly, whether he received part of their reimbursement for the “virtual” trips he allegedly organized. And thirdly, about whether he took “commissions” from part of their wages. According to Politico, this is stated in a letter from the European Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

Politico reports that “another Greek MEP, Maria Spiraki, is involved in the same investigation.” However, according to the documents cited by Politico, there is no evidence that Spiraki received pay cuts or false compensation..

In total, according to the publication, citing a “person who knows the matter,” the investigating authorities claim that Kylie owes the European Parliament “about 100,000 euros.”

The details provided by Politico give “the first real insight into the content of the investigation” as it was made public in December, just days after Kylie was taken into custody on suspicion of Qatargate.

Despite the fact that all suspects in the Cathargate crime are now out on bail and there have been no new arrests since February, authorities are shifting their investigation to the case, according to Politico. In fact, the same outlet reports that MEPs on the legal affairs committee are expected to discuss Kylie’s case behind closed doors for the first time on Tuesday.

For her part, Eva Kaili, who is now under house arrest, is currently fighting to maintain her immunity, a privilege granted to MEPs. But according to Politico, the EU prosecutor’s office, which is investigating criminal fraud related to European funds, says the investigation is on “solid ground”.

“The current investigation concerns serious suspicions of repeated fraud and other serious violations,” European Attorney General Laura Kövesi was quoted in a letter cited by Politico that was sent to Parliament in December and called for the immunity of both Kylie and Spirakis. .

However, European prosecutors declined to comment on the Politico article. It is reported that Eva Kylie, through her lawyer, promised to pay off any possible debt and implement any recommendations. Maria Spiraki, for her part, stressed to Politico that her case has nothing to do with Kylie’s and noted that she has never been accused of bribery.

“Stocks”

European prosecutors released the fraud investigation on December 15, days after Kylie was arrested in Brussels in connection with the Qatargate scandal.

The memo, according to Politico, named Kailis, who was part of the Eurogroup of Socialists and Democrats, and Spirakis, a former journalist and ex-representative New Democracywhich belongs to the People’s Party.

The documents also cite four former associates of Kylie and two former associates of Spirakis as possible implicated, according to Politico.

Officials released a few details about this investigation, noting only that it had nothing to do with Qatargate.

Thus, according to the letter cited by Politico, the EPPO investigation is checking both Kylie and Spirakis for violations related to the place of work and the physical presence of their partners.

According to the same letter, another line of investigation concerns “missions that never took place, the submission of false supporting documents and the unjustified reimbursement of expenses of associates of MEPs at the request of MEPs.”

In particular, Kylie is also under investigation for “commissions” from the salaries of her assistants and falsified expenses.

The prosecution’s investigation follows an investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud agency known as OLAF, which ended on November 23 last year. OLAF then turned its case over to EPPO.

OLAF clarified that the case now only concerns the prosecution, declining to comment further.

Chapter Waiver of Immunity

Now the key element for the continuation of the investigation is the process of lifting immunity. It is noted that immunity is a privilege of MEPs, the purpose of which is to protect them from arbitrary prosecution. However, it may be removed following a recommendation by the legal committee and a vote in plenary.

According to Politico, MEPs are expected to discuss Kylie’s issue at a legal affairs committee meeting on Tuesday.

Spyros Pappas, one of Kylie’s lawyers, argued that, as a general rule, such cases are “closed” when OLAF completes its investigation – as was the case with Kylie – and the MEP in question pays the sums he is reportedly owed. The question also arose as to how a waiver of immunity could be justified in respect of acts committed as early as 2014.