The scandal behind the NATO scandal. The investigation into corruption is getting wider and wider. Russia was just waiting for it
According to the information of the Die Welt daily, several employees of the Financial Department of the Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, Virginia were suspended at the end of last week. ACT is one of the two strategic headquarters of the military alliance and is subject to the command of NATO in Mons in Belgium. He is responsible for all strategic and conceptual issues related to the war.
NATO circles show that in the so -called The J8 department was suspended by “several” rank of British employees. They were to “abuse their privileges”. It is not clear what it means exactly, but according to the person familiar with the allegations, these are not small things. Internal investigations regarding these employees have been underway for weeks.
ACT spokesman did not want to comment on the details: “According to our many years of policy, we do not comment on internal processes. However, I can ensure that command requires all employees to comply with the highest standards of conduct and responsibility. In the event of doubts, they are considered by relevant internal authorities, in accordance with our commitment to honesty, reliability and organizational discipline,” he said.
Corruption allegations
Just a few days ago, “Die Welt” informed about serious accusations against employees of the NATO support agency and orders (NSPA). According to NATO's internal report, to which “Die Welt” has exclusive relief, last year the informant directed NSP's attention to the Romanian company Global Defense Logistics (GDL). This company provides fuel supply and supplies for NATO war jackets around the world.
According to Romanian anti -corruption bodies, at the beginning of 2024, GDL was to promise the NSPa official 200,000. hole. (PLN 740,000), if this provides the company, preferential conditions in the tender for a port management contract. The contract was 9 million euros (38 million 459 thousand PLN). In July and October 2024, the Greek broker was to transfer a total of 100,000 to the official. hole. (PLN 370,000). At the end of January 2025, he was to receive another 30,000 in the hotel restaurant. hole. (PLN 111,000) in cash.
Therefore, NATO turned to the Romanian authorities who arrested two men. The inquiry addressed to anti -corruption bodies about the current state of the investigation has been unanswered so far.
The investigation is expanding
In the second case, the Belgian prosecutor's office is investigating several current and former employees of the NSPA in terms of bribery, money laundering and nepotism. According to reports They were to provide information to arms companies and demand money for it. According to investigators, consulting companies were created in order to wash illegal money.
Secretary General NATO Mark Rutte during a press conference in Washington, July 15, 2025.
In mid -May, arrest orders were carried out in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, including towards a 58-year-old former official of the Belgian Ministry of Defense. According to “Die Welt”, the investigation has been expanded to Italy and is currently coordinated by the European EUROJUST agency.
Recently, there have also been allegations against the head of the NSPA, Stacy Cummings, extended inside NATO. However, they relate primarily to criticism of how they handle matters and selection of staff for free positions. Cummings well -known people were often employed. NATO does not want to comment on the case.
“We want to reach the point”
The allegations arise at the wrong time for NATO. After many months of focusing on new tasks, the new structure and the future role of the USA, the alliance should focus on increasing the defense readiness of its Member States. In the coming weeks it should become clear how many US soldiers withdraw from Europe.
This may cause Europeans to compensate for this gap. Added to this is the fact that such cases fuel a narrative about Western corruption. Several Russian media has already picked up the subject of allegations against NSPA employees.
It is not without reason that the alliance, when asked about these matters, emphasizes that it was NATO who initiated an investigation. “We want to reach the heart of the matter,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
