Sebastian Bauer 'spying' on an EPO staff's protest

Summary: Elodie Bergot and her "Gestapo" have both enjoyed spectacular promotions, broadening the reach of Battistelli's "police state" culture

IT was almost exactly 2 years ago that we wrote about the EPO's very own "Gestapo". Things have not improved since; this "Gestapo" just attempted to maintain a low profile and not be mentioned anywhere. It has actually hired additional staff since.

SUEPO has also, since then, been 'decapitated'. Its leaders lost their jobs. Spying contributed to this. A witch-hunt! It is SUEPO that had repeatedly extended an olive branch. What about EPO management? Nothing. Only entrapment. Bad faith and publicity stunts.

"SUEPO has also, since then, been 'decapitated'. Its leaders lost their jobs. Spying contributed to this."SUEPO is very patient and tolerant. It's a lot more reasonable than EPO management has been since the Battistelli 'coup'.

"The EPO declined to comment on the claims set out in that letter," according to WIPR, which actually sought comment. This was said in relation to Battistelli's end of service, which Monika Ermert wrote about earlier today (she has been writing a lot about the EPO lately). To quote:

Looking ahead, the union recommended a multilateral working group between management and staff to address a number of issues. The working group should set out on a truth-finding mission and consider, according to SUEPO’s call, “concrete action where necessary” on violations of law and staff welfare.

It should also consider reversing rather politically motivated sanctions of all staff representatives and union leaders and identify problems with reforms initiated by Battistelli to push efficiency, it said. Suepo, the letter states, is prepared to fully support such efforts.

If SUEPO thinks that things are about to change for the better, then it should look no further than the latest moves from Bergot and her "Gestapo".

"If SUEPO thinks that things are about to change for the better, then it should look no further than the latest moves from Bergot and her "Gestapo".""Competence and hard work finally rewarded at the EPO," a reader of ours said sarcastically, remarking on Bauer's promotion.

"Having participated to (some would say guided but they are only jealous losers) all investigations targeting the SUEPO officials and the Staff Representatives in particular (but not only), working hand in hand with Mrs. Bergot (PD HR) for the past years, it is highly appreciable to see that the true honesty and high respect for the rule of law are finally rewarded at their just value at EPO," this reader added.

The following was posted three days ago (i.e. late on Friday, as usual):

Ethics and Compliance

20.10.2017

New unit established and new Director appointed

I am pleased to announce that Mr. Sebastian Bauer has been appointed as Director, Ethics and Compliance, reporting to me, effective 1.11.2017.

The INT/EXT recruitment competition was launched following the unanimous decision of the Administrative Council in June to approve the new Internal Justice System, (AC Decision CA/D 7/17) and resulting creation of the Ethics and Compliance function.

The change is explained more fully on the IAO Intranet pages (0.6.4 - Directorate Ethics and Compliance).

Mr. Bauer joined the Office's Legal Service in 2012 from the World Bank Group Office of Ethics and Business Conduct. At the EPO, he worked as a lawyer in the working group with social partners on the Policy for the prevention of harassment and the Investigation Guidelines (circulars 341 and 342). He has been part of the Investigative Unit (IU) since 2013, as an investigator and recently as Head of the IU (ad interim). He has conducted investigations in all five continents, and previous experience includes private law practice in the field of Compliance. He holds a Master of Law (Hons.) from the University of Cambridge and a law degree from the University of Munich, and certifications as a Fraud Examiner (ACFE) and in public administration. He participated in the drafting of the revision of the standards of conduct in the Service Regulations which created the Ethics and Compliance function. The task of this independent Ethics and Compliance function is to promote good ethical conduct, to increase awareness of the risks of harassment, frauds, etc., and to carefully investigate any allegations of fraud and/or any misconduct in a correct and legally secure way following due process.

Please join me in congratulating Mr. Bauer on his appointment.

In terms of organisation, the current investigative unit and its staff will be absorbed into the Directorate Ethics and Compliance, now incorporating its new focus.

Internal Audit and Oversight (0.6) will be reorganised slightly to accommodate this as follows:

PD 0.6 Internal Audit & Oversight will consist of 4 functions, namely:

· 0.6.1 - Internal Auditing

· 0.6.2 - Directorate Quality Audit

· 0.6.3 - Assurance Services (Compliance Assurance & Risk Assurance for the RFPSS)

· 0.6.4 - Directorate Ethics and Compliance

The IAO intranet site, the Charter for IAO, and the Organigram will be updated accordingly in line with the above.

John Martin

PD Internal Audit and Oversight

So here we go. Rather than sociopaths being demoted, they are being promoted ahead of Battistelli's departure. What could possibly go wrong? Notice the part which says Bauer was "Head of the IU (ad interim)." Well, at least people can recognise him in the hallway or whatnot, usually in extravagant clothing, suggestive of self-importance. ⬆