Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) Files Criminal Complaint Against Members of the EU Commission for the Period 2019-2024
TAE calls for a transparent and consistent criminal investigation into the allocation of EU funds
On July 23, 2025, the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE) filed a criminal complaint and a criminal application with the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office against the two former members of the EU Commission: Frans TIMMERMANNS, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Climate Action 2019-2023, and Virginius SINKEVIČIUS, Commissioner for Environment and Oceans in the 2019-2024 Commission. As a precautionary measure, the criminal complaint and the criminal application also target all other individuals who will also be investigated by the authorities as part of the proceedings. At the same time as the complaint in Munich, a criminal complaint was filed with the EU Public Prosecutor's Office in Luxembourg.
Why is the European Taxpayers Association taking this drastic step? According to Taxpayers' President Michael Jäger, it is about a consistent review of the funding allocation of the former EU Commission, von der Leyen I. According to media reports, there are allegations that the former EU Commission financed non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with substantial sums without transparently disclosing these decisions or adequately explaining them. According to the reports, there was even lobbying from within the ranks of the EU Commission against the Commission's shared interests, for example the Mercosur agreement. The paid influence on the European Parliament apparently went so far that specific provisions were to be included in EU laws or that a certain number of MEPs were to be lobbied for.
There are suspicions that payments may have been made illegally, according to the European Taxpayers Association. We therefore call for public prosecutors to investigate whether applicable law and the EU's principles of transparency and separation of powers have been violated. If funds were transferred without appropriate oversight or involvement of other EU institutions, this would be an unacceptable violation of applicable law.
It is democratically a deeply strange action if parts of the executive (Commission) were to have tried to influence other parts, in particular the European Parliament (legislature) – the only directly elected EU institution.
The Taxpayers Association is not alone in its criticism. Resistance is also emerging from Austria. At the same time as the TAE, a separate criminal complaints was filed in Austria to ensure a legal investigation into the allegations that have come to light.
The criminal complaint filed by the European Taxpayers Organisation is being submitted and supported by lawyer Dr Richard BEYER, who is also Scientific Director of the European Institute for Public Finance (EIPF).
It is important for the Taxpayers Association to clarify that the criticism is not directed against the funding of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). That is not the issue, Jäger says. It is and remains legitimate to demand that the allocation of public funds - whether from the EU or national sources - be carried out according to clear and transparent rules, and that it be verified whether these funds were used for their intended purpose.
What is completely unacceptable, says Michael Jäger, is when EU funds are used to work against the EU's objectives. Therefore, we expressly welcome the European Court of Auditors' clear position and opinion on this in its Special Report 11/2025 "Transparency of EU Funding for Non-Governmental Organizations."
The European Commission's announcement of its intention to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the allocation of EU funds and to establish clear guidelines and rules for cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is a step in the right direction. This will ensure that EU funds are used for their intended purpose and do not violate EU values.
What is also part of the process of coming to terms with the past and what the Taxpayers Association is demanding is a comprehensive legal examination of the allegations from the past that have become public.
Jäger stated that we are also concerned with clarifying the general criminal liability of Commission officials for the EU's budgetary assets. A legal vacuum must not arise. Because all Europeans are equal before the law.
Download TAE Presse- Release in the complete wording
Brussels/Munich July 25, 2025
Rudolf G. Maier, Press Officer
