Press Release: ‘Eurostat affair’: Investigation into leaks

The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on 13 March 2006 opened an investigation concerning the use of internal documents of the previous OLAF Supervisory Committee or its secretariat by individuals subject to OLAF investigations. These documents were brought forward in a complaint lodged before the European Court of First Instance against the European Commission and OLAF following the so-called 'Eurostat affair'. Reacting to an intense debate in the European Parliament about a series of leaks affecting OLAF and after several media inquiries on this topic, the Office considered it necessary to inform about its decision to open the investigation. This decision was made after consultation with the new OLAF Supervisory Committee.