EU Prosecutors Raid European Parliament Offices in Funds Misuse Probe

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) conducted searches at the European Parliament offices in Brussels and Strasbourg on October 21, 2026[1][2][6][11]. These searches are part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of over €4.3 million in European Union funds by the former Identity and Democracy (ID) political group during the 2019-2024 legislative period[6][7][9][10][11][13][14].

This investigation affects the current 'Patriots for Europe' (PfE) group, which was formed by many members of the ID group after its dissolution in 2024[6][8][11][14][15]. The alleged misuse of funds concerns taxpayer money intended for parliamentary activities.

What the records show

The EPPO confirmed the searches are linked to an investigation into a former political group's use of European funds[6][11]. The investigation was formally opened in July 2025, following a parliamentary report that indicated €4.3 million in suspected improper spending between 2019 and 2024[6][7][9][10][14]. The report stated that the ID group violated procurement rules and awarded contracts to companies with which they had close ties, along with illegally donating funds to Christian associations and NGOs in members' home countries[7]. Philip Claeys, currently the Secretary-General of the PfE group, held the same role in the ID group[8].

Separately, a financial audit confirmed violations of Parliament's rules by the 'Patriots for Europe' group itself, leading to an order to repay over €270,000 in misused funds from its 2024 spending[8]. The European Parliament's administration had flagged irregularities regarding PfE in early 2025[8]. The PfE group later set aside an equivalent amount from its 2025 budget to cover this repayment[8]. Daniel Freund, a Green MEP and Coordinator in the Budgetary Control Committee, stated that Philip Claeys, as Secretary-General of the Patriots, has proven he "cannot be trusted with public funds"[8].

The timeline

From 2019 to 2024, the now-dissolved Identity and Democracy (ID) group allegedly misused over €4.3 million in EU funds[6][7][10][14]. In early 2025, the European Parliament's administration flagged irregularities concerning the 'Patriots for Europe' group's 2024 spending[8]. The European Public Prosecutor's Office formally opened its investigation into the ID group in July 2025[6][9][11][14]. On September 4, 2025, the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) suggested that the PfE group could be obligated to repay the misused funds from its predecessor, based on the concept of "economic continuity"[7][10]. By June 23, 2026, the PfE group was ordered to repay over €270,000 for its own 2024 financial violations[8]. The most recent development occurred on October 21, 2026, when the EPPO conducted searches at the European Parliament offices in Brussels and Strasbourg[1][2][6][11].

What changed and for whom

The Identity and Democracy (ID) group dissolved after the 2024 European elections[6][8][11][14]. Many of its members, including those from France's National Rally and Italy's Lega, subsequently formed the 'Patriots for Europe' (PfE) group[6][8][11][14][15]. Philip Claeys transitioned from being Secretary-General of the ID group to the same role in the new PfE group[8]. The PfE group, now the third-largest bloc in the EU legislature, faces scrutiny and potential liability for the actions of its predecessor due to the concept of "economic continuity"[6][7].

What the subject has said publicly

The 'Patriots for Europe' group stated that the searches are linked to the complaint against the Identity and Democracy group, which dissolved in 2024[6][11]. The PfE group maintains it has no "legal continuity" with ID and is therefore "not involved in the ongoing investigation"[6][11]. Jean-Paul Garraud, an MEP leading the National Rally delegation, said the searches targeted the offices of former ID staff members[6][11].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm any public statements or responses from Philip Claeys regarding the allegations made by Daniel Freund concerning his trustworthiness with public funds[8]. We also could not locate independent corroboration from an official audit document, separate from the statements by Daniel Freund, specifically detailing the financial audit results and the order for the 'Patriots for Europe' group to repay over €270,000 for its 2024 spending[8].