The European Parliament is embroiled in a potential financial scandal involving the now-dissolved far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group, which is suspected of misappropriating approximately 4.3 million euros in EU funds from 2014 to 2019.

An internal audit has revealed that over three million euros were paid to companies associated with the Rassemblement National (RN) without proper bidding and for unclear services, raising serious concerns about financial impropriety.

The ID faction is accused of bypassing mandatory bidding processes, making payments to friendly companies, including a media agency linked to an AfD local politician, which received 64,000 euros without competitive offers.

The draft audit indicates irregularities in spending by ID-affiliated members, including fictitious service contracts and improper tender processes, particularly involving the RN.

Niclas Herbst, chairman of the EU Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee, expressed outrage over the findings, labeling it fraud and announcing plans to file a criminal complaint with the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

The internal audit report suggests that many expenditures were unjustified and potentially detrimental to the European Parliament's budget, prompting calls for corrective actions.

Additionally, the ID group reportedly distributed around 700,000 euros to various organizations unrelated to the European Parliament, including donations for animal welfare, often linked to personal connections with party affiliates.

The ID faction, which included members from the far-right AfD party until May 2024, is accused of improperly distributing funds to animal welfare organizations and dubious companies without following procurement rules.

These allegations come on the heels of a Paris court ruling that found Marine Le Pen guilty of fraudulent EU parliamentary assistant jobs, with an appeal pending.

Philip Claeys, the former secretary-general of the ID faction, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that all payments were properly invoiced and justified.

The ID group was dissolved in July 2024 following the exclusion of AfD members due to controversial remarks, while the RN has since joined a new faction called Patriots for Europe.

The Parliament's budget control committee may escalate the case to the EU's anti-fraud office and the European Public Prosecutor's Office for further investigation.