EU corruption scandal: Key suspect’s former tax accountant arrested in Italy
- The biggest scandal to rock EU politics in decades, hinges on suspicions that Qatar and Morocco bribed politicians to influence EU assembly decisions
- Monica Rossana Bellini, who worked for former centre-left MP Pier Antonio Panzeri, faces charges of criminal association, corruption and money laundering
The tax consultant of a former EU lawmaker at the centre of a cash-for-influence corruption scandal at the European Parliament has been arrested in Italy, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.
The scandal, the biggest to rock EU politics in decades, hinges on suspicions that Qatar and Morocco bribed politicians, parliamentary assistants and NGOs to influence decisions of the EU assembly.
Qatar reiterated that it had no involvement in the EU corruption scandal. Morocco complained of “judicial harassment” after the corruption probe.
Monica Rossana Bellini, who worked for former centre-left parliamentarian Pier Antonio Panzeri, was arrested by the Guardia di Finanza tax police in Milan, on a request from Belgium through a European warrant.
She faces charges of criminal association, corruption and money laundering. Her two lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.