Former EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders Under Investigation for Lottery-Linked Money Laundering

Belgian authorities have carried out raids on properties associated with Didier Reynders, the former European Commissioner for Justice, amid allegations of money laundering.

According to reports from Follow the Money and Le Soir, Reynders, 66, is accused of utilizing Belgium’s National Lottery to launder funds.

The investigation alleges that Reynders purchased electronic lottery tickets valued between €1 and €100, transferring money into his lottery account before participating in games and funneling any winnings—now suspected of being laundered—into his private accounts.

Reynders oversaw the National Lottery during his tenure as a minister from 2007 to 2011.

A judicial source informed Follow the Money, “If there is cash, the next question is where it came from.” The source added that Reynders is required to provide proof of the legal origins of the funds used.

The reports suggest that the suspected money-laundering activities began while Reynders was active in Belgian politics but no longer overseeing the National Lottery. The activity allegedly continued during his term as EU Justice Commissioner from 2019 to 2024.

Authorities acted shortly after Reynders’ immunity as a European Commissioner expired on Sunday with the conclusion of his mandate. Permission for the raid had to be obtained from the College of Commissioners, where Reynders had been a member.

Reynders, a member of Belgium’s Mouvement Réformateur (MR) party, previously held roles as Belgian finance minister from 1999 to 2011 and foreign affairs minister from 2011 to 2019. He was questioned by police on Tuesday following the raids, which included searches of his private property.

Details regarding the total amount of money involved in the alleged scheme have not been disclosed. As of now, Reynders has not made any public statements addressing the accusations. 

By fLEXI tEAM