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Another big name in the cross-hairs is European Commissioner Neelie Kroes, whose involvement in an offshore company during her term as European Commissioner has been revealed. Kroes participated in the offshore corporation Mint Holdings Ltd, serving as the company's manager from 2000 to 2009. Kroes failed to disclose this in her declaration of interests upon assuming her position as Commissioner for Competition in 2004. She failed to mention this once again in 2010, when she became the European Commissioner for Digital Agenda.According to the European Commission rulebook, its members are "not to engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not". They may only hold "honorary positions".Kroes' initial response was that the allegations were false. Subsequently, the former Commissioner's attorneys wrote that Mint Holdings never functioned properly and that due to an error of an administrative nature, Mrs Kroes' name remained registered with the company, even though she never participated in the board of directors or any kind of business activities conducted by the company. Her attorneys admitted that the former Commissioner never mentioned any administrative link to the offshore company in her declaration of interests. They also noted that Mrs Kroes will inform the President of the European Commission and that she will accept full responsibility regarding this matter.READ: The Law Firm That Works with Oligarchs, Money Launderers, and Dictators
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