Brussels, 09/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 9 July, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) published its ninth annual activity report (for 2008), containing a special chapter on the judicial follow-up to its investigations. Since it was set up in 1999, OLAF has opened over 3,000 cases. More than 300 individuals have been sentenced by criminal courts as a result of OLAF's investigations to a combined total of nearly 875 years of imprisonment, 208 of which were suspended. Thanks to the work of OLAF over €1 billion has been recovered.
The volume of information received by OLAF increased once again, from 886 new items of information in 2007 to 1,035 in 2008. In 2008, 645 decisions (up 18% on 2007) were taken on the basis of new incoming information. Just three examples will serve to demonstrate the huge variety of cases OLAF had to deal with in 2008: embezzlement in health projects in Uganda, evasion of anti-dumping duties for silicon metal from China, an agent in a Commission delegation allegedly asking for bribes in exchange for attributing contracts.
Of the 645 decisions taken, 204 (31%) resulted in the opening of a case (slightly less than the 38.6% in 2007). In addition, the proportion of cases closed with follow-up continued to increase, representing more than 65% of all cases closed in 2008 (compared with 45% before 2004). A breakdown of the 204 decisions to open cases shows that, in 2008, there were 103 external investigations (including 36 external aid cases), 42 internal investigations (within the EU institutions and bodies), 30 criminal assistance cases and 29 coordination cases.
A significant share of the new investigations relates to a small number of countries: some 55% of all new investigations opened in 2008 relate to only six member states (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Romania and the United Kingdom). 60% of all cases are closed within two years.
European taxpayers can utter a sigh of relief. Thanks to the cases dealt with by OLAF, the sum of €460 million was recovered in 2008. In 2008, OLAF's administrative budget was €53 million and it employed 475 people.
The European Commission will shortly bring out its annual report on the protection of the Communities' financial interests (combating fraud). (L.C./transl.rt)