Former EU Foreign Policy Chief Federia Mogherini Detained in Fraud Probe

Italian politician Federica Mogherini has been taken into police custody. The former European Union foreign policy chief is under investigation for suspected fraud. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is leading the inquiry. It focuses on allegations of favoritism, or improper bias, in awarding a contract. The contract was for a training program for future EU diplomats. Investigators are examining whether the European External Action Service, which Mogherini once led, showed unfair preference in giving the program to the College of Europe in Bruges. Mogherini served as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2019. The EPPO, an independent body, handles crimes against the EU budget. It has not released further details at this time.