NEWS: Former European Investment Bank (EIB) chief Hoyer at centre of corruption probe, denies wrongdoing as his immunity lifted

By AML Intelligence Correspondents

FORMER European Investment Bank chief Werner Hoyer is one of two of the bank’s former officials being probed in a corruption inquiry.

Hoyer today confirmed he was one of the individuals being investigated by prosecutors but denies wrongdoing.

The dramatic development came following an announcement by the European Public Prosecutors Office this morning that the EIB had lifted immunity for two of its former officials.

Now it has been learned that police in Germany and Luxembourg in recent months seized material related to the investigation and searched Hoyer’s home.  

Hoyer denies any wrongdoing through his lawyer, who said that the EPPO’s probe focuses on the departure of an EIB employee and the compensation paid to him in this context.

Hoyer signed off on the exit package, in accordance with EIB rules, ensnaring him in the probe — even though he was not part of the negotiations, his legal team said.

“The allegations against me are downright absurd and, unfounded,” Hoyer said in an emailed statement.

“I now expect them to be fully investigated and clarified and ask the EIB to co-operate fully with the EPPO. I am also co-operating fully with the EPPO and demand a full clarification of the facts from there,” he added

“We are calmly awaiting the investigations,” Hoyer’s lawyer Nikolaos Gazeas said.

“They will prove that the criminal allegations against my client are unfounded and downright absurd. This is also why my client has expressly requested that his immunity and that of the EIB premises be waived so that this allegation can be clarified,” the lawyer said

Earlier the European Investment Bank (EIB) today lifted immunity for two former employees in a fraud investigation.

Both former EIB officials are suspected of corruption and misappropriation of EU funds, prosecutors said.

The Luxembourg based bank said today (Monday) it has “accepted the request of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to lift the immunity” of the pair.

The move also allows the EPPO to search the bank’s headquarters and take away relevant documentation.

The EPPO made the request in an ongoing investigation involving two individuals suspected of corruption and abuse of influence, as well as the misappropriation of EU funds.

“The suspicions were reported to the EPPO by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). In line with their legal obligation under the Union law (Protocol 7 on the Privileges and Immunities of the EU), as specified by the Court of Justice of the European Union, the EIB has granted the lifting of the immunity of two former employees, which will allow the diligent and effective pursuit of the EPPO’s investigation,” the prosecution service said.

An official said: “In strict compliance with the principles of the rule of law and the rights guaranteed in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, this will make it possible to gather all the evidence needed, whether inculpatory or exculpatory, to shed full light on the facts under investigation.”

The EPPO and EIB are both based in Luxembourg, just 650 metres from each other. The EPPO is based on Avenue John F Kennedy while the EIB is some nine minutes walk away on Rue Albert Wehrer.

No further details of the case are being made public about this ongoing investigation, “in order not to endanger its outcome.”

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