By Henrietta Billings - 19th July 2004
Brussels has confirmed that it will take former EU chief Edith Cresson to the European Court of Justice for alleged abuse of office.
"The European Commission has decided to refer the file relating to the alleged breaches of Ms Cresson's obligations as a commissioner to the European Court of Justice," the European Commission said in a statement on Monday.
The breaches which concern "favouritism" and "gross negligence", follow a "very thorough analysis of all the facts at the commission's disposal and a hearing of Ms Cresson and her lawyers on 30 June 2004".
Scandal surrounding the former French prime minister is credited with triggering the collapse of the last European Commission in 1999.
In June Belgian judges dropped charges against Cresson - leaving her free from criminal proceedings.
Criminal accusations had focused on allegations she had appointed her personal dentist Rene Berthelot to a fictitious job at a cost of €150,000.
The EU's highest court in Luxembourg will focus on the commission's own internal investigation based on her conduct as a commissioner - which could leave Cresson stripped of her EU pension rights.
Cresson, 70, was a member of the European Commission from 1995-1999 where her dossier covered science, research and education.
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