BRUSSELS — Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas called allegations of fraud against her predecessor Federica Mogherini and a senior EU official “deeply shocking” in a letter to staff, as she sought to distance herself from the scandal.

The internal letter, sent to European External Action Service (EEAS) staff on Wednesday and seen by POLITICO, stated that the events in question “took place under previous mandates” at the bloc’s foreign policy arm.

Kallas took over from Josep Borrell as the EU’s High Representative, its most senior diplomatic post, in Dec. 2024.

Before Borrell, Mogherini was in charge of the EEAS between 2014 and 2019, after which she went on to become rector of the elite College of Europe, which is now at the center of the fraud case.

Stefano Sannino, another central figure in the scandal, was secretary general of the EEAS under Borrell before taking a senior position as head of the European Commission’s Middle East and North Africa department in early 2025.

In the ongoing probe being led by Belgian police and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), Mogherini and Sannino are suspected of having rigged a tender process linked to the establishment of a European Diplomatic Academy at the College of Europe.

“The accusations concern procurement fraud and corruption, conflict of interest and violation of professional secrecy,” the letter states, referring to the claims.

Neither Mogherini nor Sannino have commented on the claims.

Kallas’ letter goes on to outline anti-corruption measures that her team has put in place at the EEAS, including an updated “Anti-Fraud Strategy which is now fully in place and crucial for improved transparency.”

“This includes prevention, training, and stronger cooperation with OLAF [the EU’s anti-fraud watchdog] as well as the first working arrangement with EPPO,” the letter states. “I can assure you that integrity and accountability will only improve under my watch and the ongoing process underlines that safeguards are in place and working.”

Kallas concludes her letter by saying she will hold a town hall meeting on Thursday to answer staff questions about the allegations.