European Commissioner-designate Sylvie Goulard was interviewed Tuesday by French police as part of an ongoing investigation over alleged misuse of EU funds by her former party, Le Point and other French media reported.
The EUs anti-fraud office OLAF also confirmed to POLITICO that its investigation into the same matter “is still ongoing.”
Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen nominated Goulard the same day for internal market commissioner with a broad portfolio ranging from digital affairs to defense and space policy.
A longtime ally of President Emmanuel Macron, Goulard resigned as Frances defense minister in 2017 following a legal investigation into her use of assistants during her time as an MEP. She has not yet been cleared of the allegations, and officials say that could complicate her nomination hearings in the European Parliament to be confirmed as a commissioner in October.
Several members and staffers from her former party, liberal MoDem, were questioned over the past few weeks by Frances Central Office against Corruption, Financial and Fiscal Fraud, the investigation unit that also called in Goulard on Tuesday, Le Point reported.
The politician walked into the units buildings “very early,” only to reemerge “shortly before 2 p.m.,” the news outlet reported.
French officials downplayed concerns over the ongoing case when Goulard was announced as the French nominee last month. “The case has been ongoing in France for two years Read More – Source
