Frank Engel and six CSV members on trial

Frank Engel is accused of fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, and forgery. An employment contract concluded between him and the non-profit association 'CSV-Frëndeskrees' (translated: Circle of Friends of the CSV) is at the centre of the trial. Six members of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) are in the dock with him.

Was the situation described in the employment contract real or fictitious? There was no remuneration for the position of party president, and Engel had no other income at the time. Between June and December 2020, however, the former MEP received a gross salary of €6,000 from the association for eight months. In exchange, he was to represent the interests of the association, seek new members, and prepare the transformation of the ASBL into a foundation.

Fictitious employment?

It appears that hardly anyone knew about this agreement. It was only in spring 2021 that the members of the CSV's parliamentary group and the enlarged committee were informed. The CSV then asked for a legal opinion, which our colleagues from RTL.lu were able to consult. The report found that the employment was fictitious and that the assets of the ASBL had been misappropriated. On 16 March, several CSV MPs reported Frank Engel to the public prosecutor's office for these findings - a first in Luxembourg. Three days later, Engel resigned from his position as president and shortly afterwards left the CSV, of which he had been a member for almost 30 years.

In the context of this case, searches were carried out at the party's headquarters. The investigation was entrusted to an examining magistrate and only six months after the denunciation of the facts, the trial began for, on the one hand, breach of trust, fraud, and money laundering and, on the other hand, concealment. The latter charge concerns the payment of social contributions by the party.

Six other party members on trial as well

In addition to Frank Engel, six members of the CSV are being prosecuted, including the former secretary general, Félix Eischen, and André Martins, who was treasurer of the ASBL at the time of the events. They signed the contract with Frank Engel. Elisabeth Margue and Stéphanie Weydert, vice-presidents at the time, as well as Georges Pierret and Georges Heirendt are also on trial for fraud and breach of trust.

In the meantime, Frank Engel has paid back the money he had received on the grounds that he did not succeed in his task. The former president of the CSV did not wish to comment before the trial.

Interviewed last week by our colleagues from RTL.lu, the current president of the opposition party, Claude Wiseler, said he did not want to speculate on the outcome of the trial, merely stating that "Justice will do its job".

Three hearings are planned.