EU Pols Busted in Bribes for Bills Scandal
The EU’s relationship with transparency has never been its forte in the past. Its track-record recently taking another beating as two EU MEPs (Slovenian Zoran Thaler and Austrian Ernst Strasser) resigned after having being caught on video being bribed by undercover reporters who offered cash in exchange for amendments to legislation.
The brazenness of Austrian MEP Ernst Strasser was especially striking as he openly discussed his “clients” and their € 100, 000 ($ 141,800) upwards contributions for favourable voting and amendments in the EU parliament.
The “consultancy” ring was revealed after two undercover reporters from the Sunday Times disguised as banking lobbyists contacted some 60 Euro-deputies attempting to lure them in with cash rewards in exchange for amendments to financial regulation bills.
Many feel that the recent bust only represents the tip of the iceberg. The European parliament itself boasting, amongst others, MEPs with criminal records such as Vito Bonsignore (European Peoples Party), Aldo Patriciello (European Peoples Party) and Mario Borghezio (Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group).
Austrian MEP Ernst Strasser suggested that his resignation was caused by a feverous media campaign against him back home. Strasser accused fellow Austrian MEP Othmar Karas of being the mastermind behind the media frenzy. In the meantime, the EU has issued its standard and solemn response: European Parliament spokesman Jaume Duch stated that, “The allegations made by the Sunday Times are serious and the European Parliament takes them seriously…”
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