Membership in WWCDA and Assessment of Potential Conflicts of Interest Considering OLAF's Investigative Role
Dear Human Resources and Security,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information regarding Mrs. Diana Riochet, Deputy Head of Unit at the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), with a particular focus on her membership in the Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) and any potential conflicts of interest this may pose, given OLAF's specific role in investigations. Please provide the following information:
1. Membership Verification: Documentation confirming Mrs. Diana Riochet’s membership in WWCDA.
2. Disclosure Records: Records of any disclosures made by Mrs. Riochet to OLAF about her WWCDA membership, particularly those discussing potential or perceived conflicts of interest.
3. OLAF’s Policy on External Affiliations: OLAF’s policies regarding employee affiliations with external organizations, especially in light of its investigative functions which might conflict with the aims of a defense-oriented organization like WWCDA.
4. Compatibility Communications: Any communications discussing Mrs. Riochet’s involvement with WWCDA and how it aligns with her investigative duties at OLAF.
5. Conflict of Interest Evaluations: Evaluations or reviews conducted by OLAF concerning conflicts of interest related to Mrs. Riochet’s WWCDA membership.
It is essential to consider the following ethical and conflict of interest issues:
- Conflict of Interest: The requirement for employees of investigative agencies like OLAF to avoid engagements that might conflict with their investigative duties. Membership in WWCDA, which primarily defends against government enforcement actions, could be directly opposed to OLAF's investigative objectives.
- Ethical Considerations: The stringent guidelines governing outside affiliations at investigative agencies, which are crucial for maintaining impartiality and the integrity of the investigative process.
- Agency Policies: How OLAF's specific policies as an investigative body influence the permissibility of memberships in external organizations like WWCDA.
- WWCDA Membership Criteria: The focus of WWCDA on assisting professionals in defense against government actions, and whether this could inherently disqualify investigative agency employees like those from OLAF.
Please ensure all relevant information from the date of Mrs. Riochet’s initial membership in WWCDA to the present is included. If parts of the information requested are exempt from release, provide an index and explanation of such exemptions, as required.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this request and look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe. Should you require further clarification or additional information to facilitate this request, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Lena Baumgartner
Dear Sir or Madam,
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of your request for access to documents
sent on 11/05/2024 and registered on 11/05/2024 under the case number
2024/2587.
We will handle your request within 15 working days as of the date of
registration. The time-limit expires on 04/06/2024. We will let you know
if we need to extend this time limit for additional 15 working days.
To find more information on how we process your personal data, please see
[1]the privacy statement.
Yours faithfully,
European Anti-Fraud Office - Access to Documents
European Commission
References
Visible links
1. https://ec.europa.eu/info/principles-and...
Dear Ms Baumgartner,
We refer to your request of 11 May 2024, which is currently being handled.
We write to inform you that unfortunately we will not be in a position to complete the handling of your application within the time limit of 15 working days.
Therefore, we have to extend the time limit with 15 working days in accordance with Article 8(2) Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 regarding public access to documents. The new time limit will expire on 25 June 2024.
Thank you for your understanding.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[email address]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear Ms Baumgartner,
Please find attached the reply to your request for access to documents of
11 May 2024.
We would kindly ask you to acknowledge safe receipt of this email.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
[1]OLAFEN-low-resolution2
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[2][email address]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
[3]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on
[4]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
References
Visible links
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
4. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear Ms Baumgartner,
Please find attached the reply to your request for access to documents of
11 May 2024.
We would kindly ask you to acknowledge safe receipt of this email.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
[1]OLAFEN-low-resolution2
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[2][email address]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
[3]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on
[4]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
References
Visible links
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
4. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
Dear Ms Baumgartner,
A kind reminder for acknowledgement of receipt of the below email, sent to
you on 25 June 2024.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
[1]OLAFEN-low-resolution2
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[2][email address]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
[3]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on
[4]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
From: OLAF FM D2
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 5:51 PM
To: [FOI #14549 email]
Subject: Your request for public access to documents
Dear Ms Baumgartner,
Please find attached the reply to your request for access to documents of
11 May 2024.
We would kindly ask you to acknowledge safe receipt of this email.
Yours sincerely,
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
[5]OLAFEN-low-resolution2
Directorate D – Legal, Resources and Partnerships
Unit D.2 – Legal Advice
[6][email address]
Rue Joseph II, 30 • B-1000 Brussels (Belgium)
[7]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
Our policy regarding personal data protection can be viewed on
[8]http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
References
Visible links
2. mailto:[email address]
3. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
4. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...
6. mailto:[email address]
7. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
8. http://ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud/about-us/...