BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Federica Mogherini, the former EU foreign policy chief and current Rector of the College of Europe, has been formally accused in a significant fraud investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The accusations, which surfaced following her arrest and subsequent release on Friday, March 13, 2026, center on alleged procurement fraud, corruption, criminal conflict of interest, and violation of professional secrecy related to a high-profile diplomatic training program.
The probe, which saw raids conducted by Belgian Federal Judicial Police in Brussels and Bruges in December 2025, alleges irregularities in the tender process for the European Union Diplomatic Academy. EU funds totaling approximately €1.7 million, initially allocated for this training program, are now under scrutiny for suspected misuse.
The Charges Against Federica Mogherini
Federica Mogherini, alongside two other individuals, faces serious accusations that strike at the heart of EU financial integrity. The core allegation is that confidential information regarding the tender for the European Union Diplomatic Academy was illicitly shared with one of the candidates – specifically the College of Europe – prior to the official publication of the call for tenders. This alleged pre-disclosure would have granted the College of Europe an unfair and illegal advantage over other potential bidders, directly violating Article 169 of the Financial Regulation which mandates fair competition in public procurement.
Prosecutors suspect a sophisticated scheme of collusion between the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic arm, and the College of Europe. The objective, it is believed, was to improperly direct substantial EU funds towards the project, with the tender ultimately awarded to the College of Europe in 2020-2021 or 2021-2022. The investigation further scrutinizes the College of Europe’s €3.2 million acquisition of a building in Bruges in 2022, intended as a dormitory for diplomatic academy students, a purchase made during a period of reported financial strain for the institution. The period under investigation for the alleged misuse of EU public money spans 2021 and 2022.
Scale of the Alleged Crime
The European Union Diplomatic Academy was launched as a pilot project with a budget of nearly €1 million. While sources vary slightly on the exact sum under scrutiny, accusations specifically focus on suspected fraud related to €130,000 in funding for the training of junior diplomats, with the EEAS reportedly awarding the College of Europe €654,000 shortly after the tender was granted. The primary victim in this extensive case is the European Union’s financial interests, as the alleged fraud directly involves the misuse of public funds. Beyond monetary loss, the scheme is accused of undermining the fundamental principle of fair competition for public contracts, potentially disadvantaging other higher education institutions that legitimately sought to secure the tender.
“The allegations against Federica Mogherini and others underscore the critical importance of transparency and accountability in the allocation of EU funds. This case will undoubtedly send ripples through EU institutions, demanding a closer look at procurement practices.”
Who Is Federica Mogherini?
Federica Mogherini, 52, is a prominent Italian politician and diplomat. She served as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission from 2014 to 2019. Following her tenure as a top EU official, she took on the prestigious role of Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, in 2020, an institution renowned for postgraduate EU studies. She also held the position of director for the European Union Diplomatic Academy, the very program now at the center of this scandal. Her appointment as rector in 2020 had previously drawn criticism, with some alumni questioning her academic credentials and experience for leading such an institution.
Investigation Details
The complex investigation is being spearheaded by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the independent EU body specifically mandated to investigate and prosecute crimes against the bloc’s financial interests. The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) provided crucial support to the operation, having initially reported the accusations to EPPO. The Belgian federal police from West Flanders executed the raids and detentions on December 2, 2025, acting on EPPO’s request. These raids targeted the EU foreign service headquarters in Brussels, the College of Europe in Bruges, and the homes of suspects, including Mogherini. The fraud was reportedly uncovered following allegations of collusion between the EEAS and the College of Europe to misuse EU public money. Prior to the searches, the EPPO had successfully requested and obtained the lifting of immunity for several suspects, indicating a thorough and meticulous preliminary investigation.
What Happens Next
Following her formal accusation on December 3, 2025, Federica Mogherini and the two other accused individuals were released, as they were not deemed a flight risk. Mogherini subsequently resigned from her positions as Rector of the College of Europe and Director of the EU Diplomatic Academy on December 4, 2025. As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, and no further details can be released to avoid jeopardizing its outcome. All accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Belgian courts. There is no information available regarding specific trial dates, potential convictions, sentences, or asset freezes at this stage. This developing story will continue to be closely monitored by The Financial Standard for further updates.
Protecting yourself from such schemes requires vigilance for related fraud investigations. Red flags in this case included the controversy surrounding Mogherini’s academic qualifications for her role at the College of Europe, suggesting a potential for political appointments over merit. The close professional ties between Mogherini and Stefano Sannino, a senior Commission official at the EEAS who previously worked under her, also presented a significant conflict of interest that appears to have been inadequately managed. Furthermore, the College of Europe’s multi-million-euro building purchase during a period of financial strain, seemingly linked to securing the tender, should have raised immediate alarms. Readers should always be wary of procurement processes where a single entity appears to have undue influence or where financial decisions seem incongruous with an organization’s reported status.
