Nationality: Netherlands
Former employer: DG Competition, Case handler (since 2005)
Date: December, 2010
New employer: Avisa Partners, Senior consultant on competition
“I regret that you have not introduced your request for authorisation in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the Staff Regulations. The Appointing Authority gives you its approval to carry out this activity, as described in your request, on condition that you will avoid any situation of conflicts of interest in your new function, particularly you will abstain from dealing with cases on which you have worked in the frame of your functions at DG Comp, and more particularly on the cases listed in the attachment”.
“She has a profound understanding of all aspects relating to the life-cycle of cartel cases with particular emphasis on settlements and leniency. In addition, she has made a vital contribution to the organisation, implementation and development of cartel policy”. (Source: European Agenda)
“Ms Post failed to apply for authorisation for this post at the time she was required to do so under Commission rules. Yet the Commission applied no sanctions to this breach of the rules. Moreover, it is only when CEO notified the Commission about this case, more than nine months after Ms Post took up her job at Avisa Partners, that the Commission ruled on whether or not the post was authorised. Ms Post was asked to abstain from dealing with cases on which she worked at DG Comp. Avisa Partners has declared to CEO that Ms Post has not and will not work on any case she dealt with while at DG Competition. It is not clear to CEO how the Commission will ensure that the conditions placed on Ms Post will be monitored and enforced and CEO has written to the Commission about this. CEO considers that a full two-year cooling off period or ban on accepting such a post would be far more effective in preventing potential conflicts of interest.”