Welt: NATO is experiencing scandals that endanger its existence
Currently, NATO is experiencing several scandals that threaten its existence, Die Welt writes. Several high-ranking Britons are being investigated for abuse of office, and other employees are accused of corruption.
Lars Petersen
Lars Petersen is the head of the national investigative team of Die Welt, Business Insider Deutschland and Politico Deutschland and has been investigating behind-the-scenes intrigues and scandals in the field of economics and politics for many years.
Currently, NATO is experiencing several scandals that threaten its existence. After allegations of corruption against employees of the NATO Procurement and Procurement Agency in Luxembourg, several Britons have now been suspended from their posts. They allegedly abused their powers. These cases put the defense alliance in a difficult position. First, allegations of fraud and corruption in its own Procurement Agency, now compliance checks in the finance department of the headquarters in the United States: NATO is currently being shaken up by serious allegations in several central units of the military alliance.
According to Die Welt, at the end of last week, several employees of the finance department at the Supreme Command for the Transformation of the NATO Strategic Forces (AST) in Norfolk, Virginia, were suspended from work. ACT is one of the two strategic headquarters of the military alliance and reports to the head of NATO. The Department is responsible for all strategic and conceptual issues of warfare.
Regulatory compliance investigation into several Britons
There are reports from sources in NATO that the suspension from work in the so-called "J8" department has affected "several" high-ranking British employees. They allegedly "abused their powers." It is unclear exactly what this means, however, according to one of those familiar with the charges, it is about something serious. For several weeks, internal investigations into compliance with regulatory requirements were conducted against these defendants. The ACT representative did not comment on the details at the request of journalists.: "In accordance with our long-standing policy, we do not comment on internal processes. However, I can assure you that the command requires all employees to adhere to the highest standards of behavior and responsibility. If doubts arise, they are dealt with through established internal mechanisms consistent with our commitment to fairness, integrity, and organizational discipline."
Allegations of corruption in the procurement agency
Just a few days ago, Die Welt reported serious allegations against employees of the NATO Agency for Supply and Procurement (NSPA). According to an internal NATO report, which is exclusively at the disposal of Die Welt newspaper, last year an agency employee brought NSPA together with the Romanian company SC Global Defense Logistics (SCG). This company provides fuel supply and supply services to NATO naval forces around the world.
According to the Romanian anti-corruption agency, in early 2024, SCG promised an NSPA employee 200,000 US dollars if he would provide the company with advantages in the tender for the conclusion of a port management agreement. Contract value: 9 million euros. In July and October 2024, a total of $100,000 was transferred to the official through a Greek intermediary. At the end of January 2025, another $30,000 in cash was paid at the hotel restaurant.
NATO contacted the Romanian authorities, who arrested the two men. A request to the anti-corruption agency about the current status of the investigation has so far remained unanswered.
Arrested on charges
In the second case, the Belgian Prosecutor's Office is investigating several current and former NSPA employees on suspicion of bribery, money laundering and nepotism. According to the charges, they passed information to defense companies and demanded money for it. According to the investigation, fake consulting companies were created to launder illegal income.
In mid-May of this year, arrest warrants were executed in Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, including against a 58-year-old former employee of the Belgian Ministry of Defense. According to Die Welt, an investigation is also underway in Italy. The case is now being coordinated by the European body Eurojust.
Recently, accusations have also been made against Stacey Cummings, Director General of the NATO Supply and Procurement Agency, inside NATO. However, we are talking primarily about criticism of her approach to managing current affairs and recruiting staff for vacant positions. Here, preference is often given to candidates whom Cummings knows well personally. NATO officials declined to comment on the Cummings situation.
Use for propaganda purposes
The accusations against NATO came at the most unfortunate time. After many months of working on new tasks, a new structure, and the future role of the United States, the alliance should focus on improving the defense capabilities of its members. In the coming weeks, it should become clear how many US troops will be withdrawn from Europe.
This will probably lead to the fact that the Europeans will have to compensate for this shortage of personnel on their own. In addition, such cases against the background of the conflict with Russia reinforce the narrative that the West is corrupt. Several Russian media outlets have already picked up the accusations against employees of the NATO Procurement and Procurement Agency. It is not for nothing that the alliance, responding to our request, emphasizes that NATO itself initiated the investigation. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said: "We want to get to the bottom of this."
