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While I was away, a poster calling himself "Former Eurostat contractor" left a comment on an old entry that it might be worth reproducing here:
"In reference to the case agaist Daniel Byk and Yves Franchet, personnel within Eurostat were aware of the potential and actual fraud taking place a long time ago. Those staff who attempted to blow the whistle were threatened or removed to other areas. In the case of Byk, investigation should be made into all Eurostat sales operations and the diversion of funds. In this respect attention should be paid to sales of Eurostat data in the USA.
In addition, Eurostat´s relationship with its contractor, Plume Direct, in Paris, should also be investigated. In addition, it is isessential that M. Laurent Probst, currently serving in Eurostat, is investigated for his role in managing administration on behalf of Daniel Byk at a time when fraud was beleived to be undertaken by Byk.
Furthermore, there needs to be a close examination of the abuse of mission funds by management level personnel. The most popular fraud in this area has been as follows:
Request that the contractor for operations requiring travel by Eurostat personnel includes a sum in the project budget which is identified as any other service than travel/accommodation. When the budget is awarded to the contractor the Eurostat official travels on missions with the contractor and receives payment from the contractor for airline tickets, hotels and all other expenses (this has sometimes included nighclubs and the services of prostitutes). Upon return to Eurostat the official then makes a formal claim for mission expenses from Eurostat and is reimbursed for "official expenditure". This money then passes as legitimate expense repayment to the the official´s bank account. The contractor who has handled all the costs then recovers the funds spent on the official as if they are charges for other services (graphics/computer programming/ PR work etc.) and the entertainment bills are offset as overseas expenses against company tax. The system has been used for years by Eurostat personnel and has been considered an essential step in the process of retaining Eurostat contracts. Frankly, it underlines the lack of control and the arrogance of EC officials in attempting to obtain far more than the large salaries already at their disposal.
I am sure this will not reach the eyes of the relevant investigators. The embarrassment for the Commission, France and for the jewish community in Luxembourg that has supported M. Byk and M. Franchet for so long, is already difficult to bear.
Let us see."