The European Anti-fraud Office (commonly known as OLAF, from French: Office de Lutte Anti-Fraude) is charged by the European Union with protecting the financial interests of the European Union: Its tasks are to fight fraud affecting the EU budget, as well as corruption and any other irregular activity, including misconduct, within the institutions of the European Union, in an accountable, transparent and cost-effective manner.
The Anti-fraud Office achieves its mission by conducting, in full independence, internal and external investigations. It also organises close and regular co-operation between the competent authorities of the Member States in order to co-ordinate their activities. OLAF supplies Member States with the necessary support and technical know-how to help them in their anti-fraud activities. It contributes to the design of the anti-fraud strategy of the European Union and takes the necessary initiatives to strengthen the relevant legislation.
It is an administrative investigative body. It has no judicial or disciplinary powers and it cannot oblige national prosecutors to act.
Read more about European Anti-fraud Office: Structure, History, Quotes
Famous quotes containing the words european and/or office:
“European society has always been divided into classes in a way that American society never has been. A European writer considers himself to be part of an old and honorable tradition—of intellectual activity, of letters—and his choice of a vocation does not cause him any uneasy wonder as to whether or not it will cost him all his friends. But this tradition does not exist in America.”
—James Baldwin (1924–1987)
“His [the President’s] office is anything he has the sagacity and force to make it.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)