Financial Suspicions and Vulnerabilities Involving Dacian Cioloș Brought to the Attention of President Nicușor Dan – A Decisive Test of Responsibility in Safeguarding National Security

According to political sources, former MEP and former Prime Minister Dacian Cioloș may be nominated to lead one of Romania’s top intelligence services. However, in the absence of official clarifications, increasing concerns are surfacing regarding his non-transparent management of European funds during his term as MEP (2019–2024).

The Suspect Mechanism: Unauthorized Paying Agent

Each Member of the European Parliament receives monthly funds from the EU budget for administrative, salary, and office expenses. According to Article 33 of the Rules Implementing the Statute of MEPs, these funds can be managed through a designated „paying agent,” but only in accordance with European and national legislation.

Furthermore, Article 35 requires that such agents be authorized in the MEP’s country of origin – in Romania, this means registration with CECCAR (the Romanian Body of Expert and Licensed Accountants) and, where applicable, approval from the National Bank of Romania (BNR).

The SC Soter SRL Case

According to documented sources, during his mandate, Dacian Cioloș allegedly used SC Soter SRL as a paying agent to manage funds from the European Parliament. However:

• the company is not listed as an active CECCAR member

• it is not authorized by BNR to operate as a payment institution or financial intermediary

• there is no evidence that the funds managed through this company were subject to independent audit procedures

This practice violates both the letter and the spirit of EU regulations, potentially enabling indirect fraud of EU funds by delegating financial operations to an unauthorized entity.

Precedent: The Suitcase Scandal of 2022

The situation recalls the case investigated by Belgian authorities in December 2022, when Greek MEPs were caught physically transporting large sums of money in suitcases—funds that had not gone through legal justification or audit procedures. That case also involved bypassing financial oversight through unauthorized intermediaries.

Why the Silence of Authorities Is Dangerous

To date, no Romanian institution (BNR, ANAF, CECCAR, the Prosecutor General’s Office) and no European authority have initiated an investigation or even a review regarding Dacian Cioloș’s use of SC Soter SRL. This lack of action may encourage the repetition and spread of such practices, undermining the credibility of EU funds and the integrity of Romanian institutions.

A National Security Risk?

Given that Dacian Cioloș is publicly discussed as a possible nominee for the leadership of an intelligence service, these suspicions take on much greater weight. Appointing someone facing allegations of fraud or financial misconduct to lead a security institution would represent a systemic vulnerability, with potential consequences for international cooperation, public trust, and internal stability.

Complaints Filed with OLAF and EPPO

Complaint to OLAF – European Anti-Fraud Office
Subject: Potential Fraud of EU Funds During Dacian Cioloș’s Term as MEP

• Dacian Cioloș allegedly used SC Soter SRL as a paying agent during 2019–2024

• the company lacks CECCAR authorization and BNR accreditation, violating Articles 33 and 35 of the applicable rules

• the funds managed through this company were not subjected to audit or transparent procedures

• no national or European authority has investigated the case to date

Requests:

• initiation of a formal OLAF investigation

• verification of compliance with EU financial regulations

• recovery of any funds potentially mismanaged

Complaint to EPPO – European Public Prosecutor’s Office
Subject: Suspected Fraudulent Management of EU Funds by Former MEP Dacian Cioloș

• SC Soter SRL, lacking CECCAR/BNR authorization, was allegedly used to process payments to staff

• lack of audit and transparency violates EU rules

• the case falls within EPPO jurisdiction as it concerns EU financial interests

Requests:

• initiation of a European-level criminal investigation

• verification of financial flows handled by SC Soter SRL during 2019–2024

• determination of liability and potential damage to the EU budget

Final Note

This complaint will be officially submitted to OLAF and EPPO, along with the relevant supporting documentation.