Simon Van Dorpe
@simonvandorpe.bsky.social
Investigative Journalist at @FollowtheMoney.bsky.social. Covering EU affairs, with a focus on anti-fraud, corruption and industrial policy. DM or email on simon.van.dorpe@ftm.eu
How five years were reduced to twenty days 🫠. Nicolas Sarkozy will be released from prison, French media report. Despite his own 2012 campaign promise that "No one should be released from their sentence before having served at least two-thirds of it." www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Nicolas Sarkozy va sortir de prison sous contrôle judiciaire, la cour d’appel lui interdit tout contact avec Gérald Darmanin
Une interdiction d’entrer en contact avec l’ensemble des prévenus, le ministre de la justice et son cabinet a été prononcée. Nicolas Sarkozy est par ailleurs interdit de quitter le territoire.
www.lemonde.fr
November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
How five years were reduced to twenty days 🫠. Nicolas Sarkozy will be released from prison, French media report. Despite his own 2012 campaign promise that "No one should be released from their sentence before having served at least two-thirds of it." www.lemonde.fr/societe/arti...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
“𝗠𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.”
Albania is closer than ever to joining the EU – yet it’s also one of Europe’s most thriving drug hubs – run by mafia networks.
What’s happening? And why does Brussels keep turning a blind eye?
🔗 Read why it matters across Europe: www.ftm.eu/articles/alb...
Albania is closer than ever to joining the EU – yet it’s also one of Europe’s most thriving drug hubs – run by mafia networks.
What’s happening? And why does Brussels keep turning a blind eye?
🔗 Read why it matters across Europe: www.ftm.eu/articles/alb...
Brussels turns blind eye as Albania’s drug empire threatens Europe
Under Prime Minister Edi Rama, Albania has become a narco-state over the past 10 years. Albanian criminal networks are increasingly active in Europe. Yet, the EU continues to support Rama's efforts to...
www.ftm.eu
November 6, 2025 at 8:18 AM
“𝗠𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼-𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.”
Albania is closer than ever to joining the EU – yet it’s also one of Europe’s most thriving drug hubs – run by mafia networks.
What’s happening? And why does Brussels keep turning a blind eye?
🔗 Read why it matters across Europe: www.ftm.eu/articles/alb...
Albania is closer than ever to joining the EU – yet it’s also one of Europe’s most thriving drug hubs – run by mafia networks.
What’s happening? And why does Brussels keep turning a blind eye?
🔗 Read why it matters across Europe: www.ftm.eu/articles/alb...
🔥 Ex-EU justice chief Didier Reynders charged with money laundering. @ftm.eu SCOOP with @lesoir.be @standaard.be and Le Vif www.ftm.eu/articles/rey...
Ex-EU justice chief Didier Reynders charged with money laundering
The charge comes after months of investigation.
www.ftm.eu
November 4, 2025 at 4:20 PM
🔥 Ex-EU justice chief Didier Reynders charged with money laundering. @ftm.eu SCOOP with @lesoir.be @standaard.be and Le Vif www.ftm.eu/articles/rey...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Congratulations to Petr Klement on his appointment as Director-General of OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office @euantifraud.bsky.social !
🇪🇺 I look forward to working together for the protection of EU taxpayers’ money and strengthening the fight against fraud.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
🇪🇺 I look forward to working together for the protection of EU taxpayers’ money and strengthening the fight against fraud.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Daily News 04 \/ 11 \/ 2025
Commission greenlights Denmark\'s fourth payment request of €175.4 million under NextGenerationEU\nToday, the European Commission positively assessed Denmark\'s fourth payment request for €175.4 milli...
ec.europa.eu
November 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Congratulations to Petr Klement on his appointment as Director-General of OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office @euantifraud.bsky.social !
🇪🇺 I look forward to working together for the protection of EU taxpayers’ money and strengthening the fight against fraud.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
🇪🇺 I look forward to working together for the protection of EU taxpayers’ money and strengthening the fight against fraud.
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
How Google won friends and influenced people - while slowly gobbling up a quarter of all ad revenue on the internet.
Here's my look at two decades of Google’s ruthless tactics to secure its dominance.
www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Here's my look at two decades of Google’s ruthless tactics to secure its dominance.
www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
How Google fooled Brussels: the tech giant’s playbook exposed
Regulators in the U.S. and the EU are closing on tech giant Google in an attempt to break up its dominance over the internet. An investigation by Follow the Money reveals how Google has persuaded lawm...
www.ftm.eu
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 AM
How Google won friends and influenced people - while slowly gobbling up a quarter of all ad revenue on the internet.
Here's my look at two decades of Google’s ruthless tactics to secure its dominance.
www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Here's my look at two decades of Google’s ruthless tactics to secure its dominance.
www.ftm.eu/articles/goo...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
🎙️ A NATO corruption scandal rocked Europe – then the US quietly dropped charges against four suspects. In our new FTM podcast, Jesse Pinster and Simon Van Dorpe uncover why Washington backed off the crackdown.
Listen to our latest episode here: www.ftm.eu/articles/pod...
Listen to our latest episode here: www.ftm.eu/articles/pod...
Podcast | Inside the NATO corruption scandal
A NATO corruption scandal made international headlines when several suspects were arrested across Europe earlier this year. But a cross-border investigation reveals that just a few months later, the U...
www.ftm.eu
October 29, 2025 at 9:07 AM
🎙️ A NATO corruption scandal rocked Europe – then the US quietly dropped charges against four suspects. In our new FTM podcast, Jesse Pinster and Simon Van Dorpe uncover why Washington backed off the crackdown.
Listen to our latest episode here: www.ftm.eu/articles/pod...
Listen to our latest episode here: www.ftm.eu/articles/pod...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
October 23, 2025 at 4:50 AM
⚠️ At a time of exploding military expenditure, the NATO corruption scandal revealed this week by @ftm.eu, @lalettre.bsky.social, @lesoir.be and @knack.be highlights the need to strengthen procurement controls. Read our today's newsletter for the latest ⤵️ www.ftm.eu/articles/nat...
#Natogate: scandal, fallout, reckoning?
Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism
www.ftm.eu
October 22, 2025 at 10:03 AM
⚠️ At a time of exploding military expenditure, the NATO corruption scandal revealed this week by @ftm.eu, @lalettre.bsky.social, @lesoir.be and @knack.be highlights the need to strengthen procurement controls. Read our today's newsletter for the latest ⤵️ www.ftm.eu/articles/nat...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Yes!!! The @ftm.nl -lead team of 40+ European journalists won the 'Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism'. The award was given for this investigation www.ftm.eu/files/the-sh...
The Shadow Fleet Secrets
Hundreds of old oil vessels are used to avoid sanctions on Russian oil trade. By now, it is known where they are sailing, what they are shipping and where to. But who are the former owners of these sh...
www.ftm.eu
October 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Yes!!! The @ftm.nl -lead team of 40+ European journalists won the 'Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism'. The award was given for this investigation www.ftm.eu/files/the-sh...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Don't miss tomorrow’s Crime & Corruption newsletter – we’ll be sharing fresh, unreported details about #Natogate: www.ftm.eu/newsletter-o...
Crime & Corruption
The latest on corruption, fraud, money laundering, and shady dealings across Europe.
www.ftm.eu
October 21, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Don't miss tomorrow’s Crime & Corruption newsletter – we’ll be sharing fresh, unreported details about #Natogate: www.ftm.eu/newsletter-o...
‼️ In case you missed it ⤵️
💥 Here’s what you need to know about #Natogate, the corruption scandal that broke today, in 10 skeets #bagsofcash #ammunition #NSPA (link to full stories below)
October 21, 2025 at 7:29 AM
‼️ In case you missed it ⤵️
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
💥 Corruption à l'OTAN : révélations sur les marchés truqués d'armement
La Lettre s’est associé avec Le Soir Knack et Follow the Money pour enquêter sur le #NATOgate (article en accès libre)
www.lalettre.fr/fr/entrepris...
La Lettre s’est associé avec Le Soir Knack et Follow the Money pour enquêter sur le #NATOgate (article en accès libre)
www.lalettre.fr/fr/entrepris...
Corruption à l'OTAN : révélations sur les marchés truqués d'armement (1/3) - LA LETTRE
La Lettre et ses médias partenaires ont enquêté sur les réseaux d'anciens militaires à la manœuvre sur les contrats de l'agence de soutien et d'acquisition de l'OTAN (NSPA). Des employés de
www.lalettre.fr
October 20, 2025 at 5:18 AM
💥 Corruption à l'OTAN : révélations sur les marchés truqués d'armement
La Lettre s’est associé avec Le Soir Knack et Follow the Money pour enquêter sur le #NATOgate (article en accès libre)
www.lalettre.fr/fr/entrepris...
La Lettre s’est associé avec Le Soir Knack et Follow the Money pour enquêter sur le #NATOgate (article en accès libre)
www.lalettre.fr/fr/entrepris...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Uitgerekend nu onze defensie-uitgaven explosief stijgen, wordt het NAVO-aankoopagentschap NSPA getroffen door liefst drie corruptieschandalen.
Dat blijkt uit #NATOgate, een onderzoek van @knack.be
@lalettre.bsky.social @ftm.eu @lesoir.be
Dat blijkt uit #NATOgate, een onderzoek van @knack.be
@lalettre.bsky.social @ftm.eu @lesoir.be
October 20, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Uitgerekend nu onze defensie-uitgaven explosief stijgen, wordt het NAVO-aankoopagentschap NSPA getroffen door liefst drie corruptieschandalen.
Dat blijkt uit #NATOgate, een onderzoek van @knack.be
@lalettre.bsky.social @ftm.eu @lesoir.be
Dat blijkt uit #NATOgate, een onderzoek van @knack.be
@lalettre.bsky.social @ftm.eu @lesoir.be
💥 Here’s what you need to know about #Natogate, the corruption scandal that broke today, in 10 skeets #bagsofcash #ammunition #NSPA (link to full stories below)
October 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
💥 Here’s what you need to know about #Natogate, the corruption scandal that broke today, in 10 skeets #bagsofcash #ammunition #NSPA (link to full stories below)
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
⚖️ Collapsing cases, bribes, spies – 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫, FTM data shows immunity waivers are falling while unresolved cases pile up. Why is Parliament growing more protective?
🔗 Read the latest newsletter on our website or app below:
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
🔗 Read the latest newsletter on our website or app below:
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
October 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
⚖️ Collapsing cases, bribes, spies – 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫, FTM data shows immunity waivers are falling while unresolved cases pile up. Why is Parliament growing more protective?
🔗 Read the latest newsletter on our website or app below:
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
🔗 Read the latest newsletter on our website or app below:
www.ftm.eu/newsletters/...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Wat bindt een Poolse oliebaron aan een Italiaanse activist die neonazi’s bestreed? Beiden ontliepen vervolging door de Europese politiek in te gaan. Vandaag beslist het parlement: blijft de bescherming staan of raken de politici hun get-out-of-jail-kaart kwijt? www.ftm.nl/artikelen/zo...
Zo lukt het dubieuze Brusselse politici om uit de cel te blijven
Wat heeft een Poolse oliebaron gemeen met een Italiaanse activist die het opnam tegen neonazi’s? Beiden ontsnapten aan hun aanklagers door de Europese politiek in te gaan. Brusselse politici doen vake...
www.ftm.nl
October 7, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Wat bindt een Poolse oliebaron aan een Italiaanse activist die neonazi’s bestreed? Beiden ontliepen vervolging door de Europese politiek in te gaan. Vandaag beslist het parlement: blijft de bescherming staan of raken de politici hun get-out-of-jail-kaart kwijt? www.ftm.nl/artikelen/zo...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
🔥Breaking: EU Commission opens antitrust investigation into #SAP, Germany's largest (and Europe's second largest) company, for allegedly restricting competition in support services on its popular ERP software. Five years ago, I wrote this story for @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/pres...
September 25, 2025 at 9:45 AM
🔥Breaking: EU Commission opens antitrust investigation into #SAP, Germany's largest (and Europe's second largest) company, for allegedly restricting competition in support services on its popular ERP software. Five years ago, I wrote this story for @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/pres...
🔥Breaking: EU Commission opens antitrust investigation into #SAP, Germany's largest (and Europe's second largest) company, for allegedly restricting competition in support services on its popular ERP software. Five years ago, I wrote this story for @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/pres...
September 25, 2025 at 9:45 AM
🔥Breaking: EU Commission opens antitrust investigation into #SAP, Germany's largest (and Europe's second largest) company, for allegedly restricting competition in support services on its popular ERP software. Five years ago, I wrote this story for @politico.eu www.politico.eu/article/pres...
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Nicolas Sarkozy déclaré coupable d’association de malfaiteurs dans l’affaire du financement libyen de sa campagne pour l’élection présidentielle de 2007
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
Guéant et Hortefeux sont aussi déclarés coupables
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
Guéant et Hortefeux sont aussi déclarés coupables
Argent libyen de Sarkozy : suivez le dénouement du procès en direct
Le tribunal judiciaire rend jeudi sa décision dans l’affaire du financement libyen de la campagne de Nicolas Sarkozy pour l’élection présidentielle de 2007. Le parquet a requis sept ans de prison et …
www.mediapart.fr
September 25, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Nicolas Sarkozy déclaré coupable d’association de malfaiteurs dans l’affaire du financement libyen de sa campagne pour l’élection présidentielle de 2007
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
Guéant et Hortefeux sont aussi déclarés coupables
www.mediapart.fr/journal/fran...
Guéant et Hortefeux sont aussi déclarés coupables
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
Europe’s public bank rocked by conflicts of interest and favouritism - yet again..
Our Brussels newsletter is out!
@simonvandorpe.bsky.social www.ftm.eu/articles/bur...
Our Brussels newsletter is out!
@simonvandorpe.bsky.social www.ftm.eu/articles/bur...
Europe’s public bank rocked by conflicts of interest and favouritism yet again
Follow the Money - Platform for investigative journalism
www.ftm.eu
September 22, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Europe’s public bank rocked by conflicts of interest and favouritism - yet again..
Our Brussels newsletter is out!
@simonvandorpe.bsky.social www.ftm.eu/articles/bur...
Our Brussels newsletter is out!
@simonvandorpe.bsky.social www.ftm.eu/articles/bur...
Many ask why the platform I work for is called Follow the Money. The answer lies in this iconic scene with the late #RobertRedford. It inspired our founders @arnevanderwal.bsky.social and Eric Smit to start @ftm.nl 15 years ago. ⏩ Jump to 2:30 if you're short on time
Follow the Money - All the President's Men (4/9) Movie CLIP (1976) HD
YouTube video by Movieclips
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Many ask why the platform I work for is called Follow the Money. The answer lies in this iconic scene with the late #RobertRedford. It inspired our founders @arnevanderwal.bsky.social and Eric Smit to start @ftm.nl 15 years ago. ⏩ Jump to 2:30 if you're short on time
I was just accidentally added to a chat group of politicians but I was too honest and have already been removed. There goes my Pulitzer 😞
September 11, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I was just accidentally added to a chat group of politicians but I was too honest and have already been removed. There goes my Pulitzer 😞
Indeed, nice words that are hard to rhyme with how Ursula von der Leyen runs the European Commission. The lack of self-criticism and the double standards are blinding
Von der Leyen says "informed citizens who can trust what they read and hear are essential to keep those-in-power accountable", and that the press should remain free.
You know what would help?
A Commission that actually answers questions (on-record) and handles access to documents requests quicker.
You know what would help?
A Commission that actually answers questions (on-record) and handles access to documents requests quicker.
September 10, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Indeed, nice words that are hard to rhyme with how Ursula von der Leyen runs the European Commission. The lack of self-criticism and the double standards are blinding
Reposted by Simon Van Dorpe
🔥 Laura Kövesi, the first European Chief Prosecutor, has locked horns with EU institutions and powerful political figures. Insiders question if her successor, whose appointment process is in full swing, will continue to crack the whip.
✅ Free to read today on @ftm.eu ⤵️
www.ftm.eu/articles/eu-...
✅ Free to read today on @ftm.eu ⤵️
www.ftm.eu/articles/eu-...
EU’s chief prosecutor goes head-to-head with Brussels elite over corruption fight
In its fight against fraud and corruption, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has locked horns with EU institutions and powerful political figures. Under Laura Codruța Kövesi, its uncompro...
www.ftm.eu
September 4, 2025 at 7:31 AM
🔥 Laura Kövesi, the first European Chief Prosecutor, has locked horns with EU institutions and powerful political figures. Insiders question if her successor, whose appointment process is in full swing, will continue to crack the whip.
✅ Free to read today on @ftm.eu ⤵️
www.ftm.eu/articles/eu-...
✅ Free to read today on @ftm.eu ⤵️
www.ftm.eu/articles/eu-...