Hungarian prosecutors bring charges against head of anti-graft body

BUDAPEST, June 9 (Reuters) - Hungarian prosecutors have brought charges against Ferenc Pal Biro, the head of an anti-graft body tasked with stamping out fraud in the spending of EU funds, over suspected misuse of funds and other crimes, they said in a statement on Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Biro's suspected wrongdoing has caused the Integrity Authority financial harm worth more than 140 million forints ($455,000).

Biro, a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers with two decades' experience of forensic accounting and compliance, declined to comment immediately when contacted by phone.

He had previously denied accusations of misappropriation and abuse of power when they were first made in January 2025. A press official for the authority did not immediately respond to emailed questions for comment.

Launched under European Union pressure in late 2022, the body is independent of Hungary's government. It had previously requested greater powers including for prosecutions, raids and sanctions, saying it lacked the proper tools to investigate corruption.

Last month the European Commission agreed to unlock €16.4 billion worth of funds for Hungary on a pledge by Prime Minister Peter Magyar's government to roll back corruption under former right-wing leader Viktor Orban's administration.

In a case dating back to January 2025, prosecutors say Biro had misused office property by making his office lease two company cars for him, one of which was unlawfully used by his wife.

At the time, Biro called the allegations "unfounded", saying they were aimed at undermining the Integrity Authority.

Prosecutors also accuse Biro of entering into three contracts with a Brussels-based consultancy company worth more than 100 million forints, which prosecutors say were incompatible with the purpose of his office.

The contracts were partly aimed at establishing a diplomatic seat and a tenancy agreement in Brussels for the authority, which prosecutors say never had offices there.

Prosecutors allege in 2024 Biro had also employed a family friend at the authority, who did not have the required qualifications and failed a national security screening procedure, resulting in the termination of his employment.

($1 = 307.91 forints)

(Reporting by Anita Komuves and Gergely Szakacs; Editing by Alex Richardson)