The OLAF report 2014 : fifteenth report of the European Anti-Fraud Office, 1 January to 31 December 2014
In 2014, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) achieved excellent results in its investigative activity, confirming the strong investigative performance reported in 2013. OLAF received the highest number of incoming allegations since its creation (1 417 items), it issued a record number of recommendations (397) and recommended the highest amount of financial recoveries for the EU budget (EUR 901 million) in the last five years. OLAF opened a very significant number of investigations (234) - about 60 % more than in the years preceding its reorganisation of 2012 - and is working at full capacity. It also continued to reduce the overall duration of its investigations (down to an average of 21 months), with particular achievements in the selection phase, when OLAF assesses whether or not to open an investigation. OLAF concluded several complex investigations in the areas of Structural Funds, customs, external aid and smuggling. It coordinated seven major joint customs operations. Examples of this work are presented in the chapter on case studies. In this report, for the first time - and in order to respond to the interest expressed by various stakeholders - OLAF is presenting a breakdown of its investigations concluded during the year, by Member State and by institution. In addition to its investigative work, OLAF continued to contribute to the development of EU anti-fraud policy, in particular regarding important proposals on the establishment of a European Public Prosecutor, the directive on the protection of the EU's financial interests and the consolidation of legislation on effective customs cooperation. OLAF also entered into administrative arrangements throughout the year with several partners and with EU institutions, in particular with the European Commission and the European External Action Service. Such arrangements provide for faster, easier and more transparent cooperation procedures and information exchange with these institutions, while ensuring full respect for OLAF's independence in its investigative function
Downloadable Article, English, 2015
Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2015