Estonian EU official accused of "sabatoge"

  • 2011-01-12
  • TBT Staff

Kallas was accused of using "Kremlin-like" tactics to cover up misconduct. (photo: EC)

BRUSSELS - The head of the EU's financial watchdog, Estonian Siim Kallas, has been accused by a recently retired colleague of "sabotaging" the system and creating a "cover-up culture".

Siim Kallas, Vice President designate of the EC, in charge of Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, was accuded of intimidating auditors into overlooking serious fraud.

Maarten Engwirda, who was the Dutch member of the court for 15 years until January 1st, told the Volkskrant newspaper that Kallas has used "Kremlin-like" techniques to "sweep under the carpet" criticism.

“Nothing was said when colleagues tried to muffle up criticism of their own countries,” he said. “There was a practice of watering down, if not completely removing, criticism.”

The commission has backed Kallas, who says that he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

His spokeswoman, Helen Kearns, said that is “not how Mr Kallas recalls the work in that period”. She said: “Very significant progress was made in that period towards positive statements of assurance.”

Kallas has headed the audoitor's office since 2004. The office's roll is to check the EU’s 126.5 billion euro funds are properly ­collected and legally spent.