The fraud scandal at Caritas, which saw the embezzlement of €61 million, was the focus of a recent RTL Radio programme. CSV MP Charel Weiler, chairman of the special parliamentary committee, emphasised that its role is not to assign responsibility but to prevent such incidents from happening again.
“We are piecing together the puzzle to understand what went wrong and to identify solutions that will prevent such a scandal in the future. Not every question can be answered which is normal given the ongoing judicial investigation.”
While the commission’s investigation is ongoing, it has already become clear that Caritas’ financial controls were inadequate. Weiler also noted that Caritas, in its previous form, could no longer be maintained. However, whether its transfer to HUT (Help on the Ground) constituted a full corporate takeover remains unclear. This distinction is crucial, as it affects employee rights, including benefits and seniority, a matter now in the hands of the courts.
The commission is set to hear from Caritas representatives, though it remains uncertain whether former management will attend. Many have been on sick leave since the scandal broke, and director Marc Crochet recently resigned.
The inquiry has faced scrutiny after going through three chairpersons–two of whom resigned due to conflicts of interest–raising questions about its credibility. Weiler acknowledged the situation was less than ideal but rejected claims that the commission had become a farce.
“I see a genuine will from both the majority and the opposition to work together and find solutions. Of course, it’s frustrating when some questions go unanswered, but I believe all members are committed to moving forward.”
The commission’s findings are expected to be published in April.
