CoR may still take action against Falcone

By Martin Banks

Date: 04/12/03

DISCIPLINARY proceedings may yet be taken against two senior officials at the Committee of the Regions, it emerged this week.

Gerhard Stahl, the CoR's acting secretary-general, told MEPs that the Committee is examining whether action can be launched against Vincenzo Falcone, the former secretary- general, and Yalamboukidou Lambrini, head of press.

A report by OLAF, the EU's anti-fraud office, found that the pair may have breached procedural rules.

Falcone was criticized for failing to contact OLAF after he became aware of irregularities in members' expenses.

Lambrini is said to have failed to follow the correct tendering procedures for a printing contract.

The pair, who were not named in the report, deny any wrongdoing.

Stahl also told the Parliament's budgetary control committee (Cocobu) that the CoR accepts it must seek independent advice on its reform plans.

His comments contrast sharply with views expressed by the institution's president, Sir Albert Bore, during his appearance before Cocobu last month.

He ruled out disciplinary action against any officials and said that, while reforms would be implemented, there was no need for outside advice.

OLAF's report referred to "systematic and flagrant incompetence" within the CoR.

In October, the European Court of Justice annulled the appointment of Falcone as secretary-general over claims that the Italian had an administrative role in his own selection process.

Falcone stepped down as secretary-general after the Court's decision.

The Committee of the Regions may still take disciplinary action against two senior officials, Vincenzo Falcone and Yalamboukidou Lambrini, after a report by OLAF, the European Union's anti-fraud office, claims the two may have breached procedural rules.