Employee swindles justice ministry

8 September 2004

BRUSSELS – An accountant working for the Belgian justice ministry stole EUR 2.5 million from his employer, it was reported on Wednesday.

Several Belgian newspapers reported that that the employee, who worked for the department which managed prisons and correction centres, had taken the money over the last two years.

The man, who lives at Jalhay, had been responsible for giving money to subsidised institutions such as psychiatric centres for delinquents and social protection institutes. When he transferred money to them, though, he would also make a bank transfer to his own account.

His bank reported him to the authorities on August 26 after becoming suspicious about the large sums of money he was receiving.

He was arrested on August 29 at Verviers and so far, EUR 1.6 million of the stolen money has been recovered.

The justice ministry has so far declined to comment on the case.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian news