Lottery scandal? Justice investigates possible malpractice by Didier Reynders
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5 Dec 2024 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Didier Reynders, former European Commissioner and for many years an important political player in Belgium, is once again under scrutiny. This time it concerns accusations of money laundering. According to sources such as Le Soir and Follow The Money, Reynders is said to have bought National Lottery tickets with cash and then had the winnings deposited into his account as “clean” money.
This may sound like a movie plot, but the Brussels public prosecutor’s office confirms that an investigation is indeed underway. Today, investigators even carried out house searches, including in Reynders’ homes. He himself was questioned for hours.
Why now? The timing is striking
The investigation into Reynders is not new, but the judiciary waited to take action until his mandate as European Commissioner expired on 1 December. Until then, he enjoyed legal protection as a top official. Since last Sunday, that protection has been gone, so the investigators struck immediately.
The public prosecutor’s office emphasises that Reynders is innocent until proven guilty. But the timing raises questions: why only now? Was there a fear of taking him on as European Commissioner?
The past catches up with Reynders
This is not the first time that Reynders has been in the news. Five years ago, he was accused of corruption and money laundering, including in connection with the construction of the Belgian embassy in Congo and the lease for the federal police. At that time, the investigation was quickly dropped due to lack of evidence. But now the past seems to be catching up with him again.
What makes this extra spicy is that Reynders was responsible for the National Lottery himself as Minister of Finance from 1999 to 2011. That makes the current accusations all the more striking.
Political career in the spotlight
Didier Reynders has had an impressive political career. He was Minister of Finance, Foreign Affairs and later European Commissioner for Justice. In the latter role, he had to ensure fair justice and compliance with European laws—an ironic twist, given the current situation.
His career was not without ambition. Last year he tried to become secretary general of the Council of Europe, but failed. His plans to become the top candidate for his party MR also failed. Reynders once seemed untouchable, but is now under great pressure.