EPO Cocainegate: Lots of Money (Over a Million Euros) for Cocaine Addicts, Not for Children With Special Needs
2019: The “Difficult Legacy” and Its Dark Historical Shadow
2025/6:
When the President's friend and brother of his girlfriend got arrested for (and with) cocaine almost exactly 365 days ago the President paid him about 150,000 euros to do nothing for 6 months, then gave him back the highest honour (and one of the highest salaries available).
To President Campinos, cocaine addiction is something punishable by paid "sick leave" (i.e. free money, salary for nothing!). But when you're not the family that Campinos sleeps with, then tough luck...
When your child is born with a disability, then it's not the same as doing cocaine out in the open.
Some hours ago the SUEPO TH committee (staff union for workers at The Hague) published the following:
INTERNATIONALE GEWERKSCHAFT IM EUROPÄISCHEN PATENTAMT
STAFF UNION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE
UNION SYNDICALE DE L'OFFICE EUROPEEN DES BREVETS30 September 2026
su26034hpThe Administration targets the most vulnerable
Dear SUEPO member, dear colleague,
After cutting salaries, allowances, benefits and purchasing power, and after already targeting children with the education and childcare allowance reform, the Administration has found a new target: children with disabilities and special educational needs.
SUEPO has become aware of a growing number of cases in which families are being confronted with significantly reduced reimbursements, refusals of disability-related educational expenses, cuts to classroom support recommended by specialists, and restrictive interpretations that deprive students with disabilities or serious health conditions of benefits previously available to them. This places an additional financial and emotional burden on parents who are already facing difficult circumstances beyond their control.
These are not privileges. They are essential safeguards for children who require additional care, education and support. Yet the Office is seeking savings precisely from families already carrying the heaviest financial and emotional burden.
The sums involved are negligible for an Organisation with ample financial resources. For the affected families, however, the consequences are serious and deeply personal. This is not responsible financial management. It is an attack on the most vulnerable members of our community.
The hypocrisy is striking. The Office publicly celebrates inclusion and wellbeing while, in practice, withdrawing support from children with special needs. No Administration has ever stooped so low as to pursue savings at their expense.
SUEPO demands an immediate reversal of these practices. We will challenge every attempt to strip vulnerable families of the protection and support to which they are entitled.
An organisation is judged by how it treats those who need its support most. By that measure, this Administration has failed.
Kind regards,
Your SUEPO TH committee
Next month we'll bring out some more Campinos scandals. Kongstad's fate (vanishing almost immediately from any limelight) might be similar to this lame duck's. █
Image source: Wheelchair symbol