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
The former official, who saw the documents, concluded that political interference was the only rational explanation. Both cases had very strong evidence, including one with pictures of 130,000 euros in bribes that were paid to an NSPA official
October 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
The former official, who saw the documents, concluded that political interference was the only rational explanation. Both cases had very strong evidence, including one with pictures of 130,000 euros in bribes that were paid to an NSPA official
But… The American investigation was suddenly and inexplicably dismissed on 9 July, together with another major NSPA bribery case. A former official at @thejusticedept.govmirrors.com likened the odds of that
happening to “lightning striking your house twice in one day”
happening to “lightning striking your house twice in one day”
October 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
But… The American investigation was suddenly and inexplicably dismissed on 9 July, together with another major NSPA bribery case. A former official at @thejusticedept.govmirrors.com likened the odds of that
happening to “lightning striking your house twice in one day”
happening to “lightning striking your house twice in one day”
The other main suspect in that case was Ismail Terlemez, (you’ve guessed it) another former NSPA official who, in a few years time, became one of Turkey’s most successful military entrepreneurs with his ammunition company Arca defence
October 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
The other main suspect in that case was Ismail Terlemez, (you’ve guessed it) another former NSPA official who, in a few years time, became one of Turkey’s most successful military entrepreneurs with his ammunition company Arca defence
Things got really interesting when we bumped into a US citizen who owns the Luxembourg-based consultancy where Guy M worked right after he quit NSPA. Scott Willason is also ex-NSPA and… turns out to have been a suspect in a far-advanced US bribery case
October 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Things got really interesting when we bumped into a US citizen who owns the Luxembourg-based consultancy where Guy M worked right after he quit NSPA. Scott Willason is also ex-NSPA and… turns out to have been a suspect in a far-advanced US bribery case
M disputes the amount of the alleged bribes: a staggering 1.9 million euros. Two current NSPA employees were stripped of their immunity by NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte and brought in for questioning. Both were suspended by NATO. One of them, Tom VB, remains in custody.
October 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
M disputes the amount of the alleged bribes: a staggering 1.9 million euros. Two current NSPA employees were stripped of their immunity by NATO Secretary General Marc Rutte and brought in for questioning. Both were suspended by NATO. One of them, Tom VB, remains in custody.
💥 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)
🔥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...
At @ftm.eu, we obviously hope the next 🇪🇺 budget will be more transparent, but the way @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu said it, was not entirely convincing
July 16, 2025 at 2:52 PM
At @ftm.eu, we obviously hope the next 🇪🇺 budget will be more transparent, but the way @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu said it, was not entirely convincing
📣 The European Parliament wants EPPO candidate Peter Klement to lead European anti-fraud office OLAF. The order still needs to be endorsed by EU countries (should not be an obstacle, I’m told). The Commission will have the final say, but this order will be hard to ignore
July 14, 2025 at 9:27 PM
📣 The European Parliament wants EPPO candidate Peter Klement to lead European anti-fraud office OLAF. The order still needs to be endorsed by EU countries (should not be an obstacle, I’m told). The Commission will have the final say, but this order will be hard to ignore
Similarly to a rule-of-law conditionality, EU Chief Prosecutor #LauraKövesi calls for a “judicial cooperation conditionality” with countries outside the EU “to cripple the financial power of organised criminal groups in Europe” #ABC2025
May 21, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Similarly to a rule-of-law conditionality, EU Chief Prosecutor #LauraKövesi calls for a “judicial cooperation conditionality” with countries outside the EU “to cripple the financial power of organised criminal groups in Europe” #ABC2025
Ursula von der Leyen announces single European competitiveness fund “with simple rules and transparent procedures ... from AI to space, cleantech to biotech.” Horizon Europe will remain a self-standing programme, connected to this fund, she reassures lobbyists at annual EU budget conference
May 20, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Ursula von der Leyen announces single European competitiveness fund “with simple rules and transparent procedures ... from AI to space, cleantech to biotech.” Horizon Europe will remain a self-standing programme, connected to this fund, she reassures lobbyists at annual EU budget conference
Brussels prosecutors are on a strike because of the under-financing of the justice system. Interesting addition in the PR: "Given the alleged shortage of public funds, the Brussels public prosecutor's office will primarily focus on cases of government corruption, embezzlement of public funds..." 🔥
April 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Brussels prosecutors are on a strike because of the under-financing of the justice system. Interesting addition in the PR: "Given the alleged shortage of public funds, the Brussels public prosecutor's office will primarily focus on cases of government corruption, embezzlement of public funds..." 🔥
From multiple accounts... (and to be clear: the platform to ban is X, not Le Soir, which is one of the victims here)
April 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
From multiple accounts... (and to be clear: the platform to ban is X, not Le Soir, which is one of the victims here)
Meanwhile on X, I'm offered fake news of a handcuffed Belgian PM @bartdewever.bsky.social, supposedly published in @lesoir.be (promoted content). What is preventing @ec.europa.eu and EU countries from taking this dangerous platform offline until it gets its problems sorted?
April 28, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Meanwhile on X, I'm offered fake news of a handcuffed Belgian PM @bartdewever.bsky.social, supposedly published in @lesoir.be (promoted content). What is preventing @ec.europa.eu and EU countries from taking this dangerous platform offline until it gets its problems sorted?
How Huawei lobbyists allegedly bribed members of the European Parliament to write a favourable letter to the European Commission h/t @frankmeijer.bsky.social
March 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
How Huawei lobbyists allegedly bribed members of the European Parliament to write a favourable letter to the European Commission h/t @frankmeijer.bsky.social
Huawei itself is also increasingly coming into the scope of the investigation, as the head of its EU operations is accused of having endorsed the scheme. Former staff also said their repeated complaints were not followed up on.
March 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Huawei itself is also increasingly coming into the scope of the investigation, as the head of its EU operations is accused of having endorsed the scheme. Former staff also said their repeated complaints were not followed up on.
Looks like 🇪🇺 has been neglecting its garden... Nice metaphor for the #SingleMarket by @vestager.bsky.social in her interview with @javierespft.bsky.social: it's like a garden, where, if you don't take care of it, first weeds start to grow, then trees. thecapitolforum.com/resources/tr...
February 4, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Looks like 🇪🇺 has been neglecting its garden... Nice metaphor for the #SingleMarket by @vestager.bsky.social in her interview with @javierespft.bsky.social: it's like a garden, where, if you don't take care of it, first weeds start to grow, then trees. thecapitolforum.com/resources/tr...
Win for prosecutors in #Qatargate corruption probe: data was legally gathered by security services (and joined to judicial file), intelligence watchdog rules. Still a long way to go before we will see a trial, let alone a judgment, though
January 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Win for prosecutors in #Qatargate corruption probe: data was legally gathered by security services (and joined to judicial file), intelligence watchdog rules. Still a long way to go before we will see a trial, let alone a judgment, though
We zoom in on the case of Vazil Hudák, a protégé of Slovakian strongman Robert Fico, who came under scrutiny twice this year as he joined companies during his cooling-off period. But Húdak is no exception, even if he’s the only one being investigated by the EU’s anti-fraud office.
December 18, 2024 at 8:23 AM
We zoom in on the case of Vazil Hudák, a protégé of Slovakian strongman Robert Fico, who came under scrutiny twice this year as he joined companies during his cooling-off period. But Húdak is no exception, even if he’s the only one being investigated by the EU’s anti-fraud office.
This unhealthy dynamic has become especially visible in the past five years, as half of the ten vice presidents who left the bank, moved into positions that posed a clear conflict of interest with their previous job.
December 18, 2024 at 8:23 AM
This unhealthy dynamic has become especially visible in the past five years, as half of the ten vice presidents who left the bank, moved into positions that posed a clear conflict of interest with their previous job.
The EIB is the world’s largest multilateral development bank, investing a yearly 75 billion euros (2023), mostly to big infrastructure projects in the EU, from solar parks in Spain to highways in Romania.
December 18, 2024 at 8:23 AM
The EIB is the world’s largest multilateral development bank, investing a yearly 75 billion euros (2023), mostly to big infrastructure projects in the EU, from solar parks in Spain to highways in Romania.
🏳️The European Commission buries the hatchet in its long-standing probes into the tax treatment of Fiat, Amazon and Starbucks in 🇱🇺 and 🇳🇱. Following court defeats in these 3 cases, departing EU Competition chief @vestager.bsky.social acknowledges the tax rulings were not illegal state aid
November 28, 2024 at 10:51 AM
🏳️The European Commission buries the hatchet in its long-standing probes into the tax treatment of Fiat, Amazon and Starbucks in 🇱🇺 and 🇳🇱. Following court defeats in these 3 cases, departing EU Competition chief @vestager.bsky.social acknowledges the tax rulings were not illegal state aid
Mario Draghi's vision for Europe's industrial future has been much praised in recent months, but this passage from his report has not aged particularly well #Northvolt #eib
November 22, 2024 at 4:23 PM
Mario Draghi's vision for Europe's industrial future has been much praised in recent months, but this passage from his report has not aged particularly well #Northvolt #eib
❗️EU Commission fines Meta close to 800 million euros for abusing the dominant position of Facebook to boost its Facebook Marketplace product: "all Facebook users automatically have access and get regularly exposed to Facebook Marketplace whether they want it or not"
November 14, 2024 at 1:38 PM
❗️EU Commission fines Meta close to 800 million euros for abusing the dominant position of Facebook to boost its Facebook Marketplace product: "all Facebook users automatically have access and get regularly exposed to Facebook Marketplace whether they want it or not"