rssAug 29, 2026, 11:00

Raid on home of lead investigator of leaked report into municipal misconduct

Police have raided the homes of former lead investigator Bernadette Verheggen as part of an investigation into the leaking of a sensitive report on Amsterdam's municipal integrity office. The original draft, which was suppressed by Mayor Femke Halsema, was later leaked to the media after the ombudsman released a modified version.

Police recently conducted raids at the home and vacation residence of Bernadette Verheggen, the former lead investigator for the Amsterdam ombudsman. Authorities seized electronic devices, including phones and laptops, as part of an investigation into the leaking of a confidential draft report regarding the city's Bureau of Integrity. The original report, which Verheggen authored, was suppressed following intervention by Mayor Femke Halsema, eventually leading to the release of a significantly softened version that Verheggen later publicly distanced herself from.

The ombudsman had originally launched the investigation in 2024 to address recurring complaints from municipal employees regarding a lack of trust in the Bureau of Integrity. After the draft was leaked to the media, the ombudsman filed an official report of a crime, prompting the current police inquiry. Both the police and the Public Prosecution Service have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, and Verheggen has not provided a public statement regarding the raids.

Politics Amsterdam Netherlands

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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