Karen M
2010-11-13 20:12:08 UTC
There are other articles floating around that attempt to implicate
Elton in this scheme. I haven't seen one yet that justifies that
position--he performed, he was paid, that's what he does. Is it his
responsibility to investigate where the funds originated?
-----
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40154033/ns/world_news-europe/
By RAF CASERT
The Associated Press
updated 11/12/2010 2:43:52 PM ET 2010-11-12T19:43:52
BRUSSELS — The European Union said Friday it wants to know if some of
its funds were misused last year for an Elton John concert in Italy
just as the financial crisis was forcing member nations into
austerity.
EU spokesman Ton van Lierop said Friday the EU Commission wants "to
know as quickly as possible" why local authorities used money
typically earmarked to boost investment projects of poorer EU
countries for the British pop star's concert.
John performed before tens of thousands of people in September 2009 in
the heart of Naples at the Piedigrotta festival, which is backed by
local authorities.
National authorities have a lot of leeway on what spending to approve
from such investment funds under €50 million ($69 million), including
cultural projects, but the Commission wants to know why any money was
used for such a concert.
Van Lierop said in a telephone interview that €2.25 million of EU
funds were invested in the festival, with €720,000 dedicated to
organizing the Elton John concert.
He said the use of such funds for cultural ends often consisted of
renovating historic buildings or setting up cultural centers rather
than one-time concerts.
Dario Scalabrini, artistic director of the Piedigrotta festival,
defended the use of the funds, saying they were intended to promote
the area and the concert did just that.
The money went entirely for Elton John's performance fee, he said. He
said the concert was broadcast live on state TV and drew 100,000
spectators, including 6,000 tourists.
Elton John set Naples Plebiscitto square alight that night with such
classics like "Candle in the wind" and "Your song."
The whiff of budgetary scandal comes at a bad time, since European
Union nations want to contain the EU budget while they also have to
contain spending at home to keep their budget in line.
Van Lierop said the probe into the concert will be included in a
general assessment on how Naples' region of Campania puts EU funds to
good use. If the use of some funds are deemed inappropriate, the
amount of money could be withheld in a future disbursement.
Elton in this scheme. I haven't seen one yet that justifies that
position--he performed, he was paid, that's what he does. Is it his
responsibility to investigate where the funds originated?
-----
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40154033/ns/world_news-europe/
By RAF CASERT
The Associated Press
updated 11/12/2010 2:43:52 PM ET 2010-11-12T19:43:52
BRUSSELS — The European Union said Friday it wants to know if some of
its funds were misused last year for an Elton John concert in Italy
just as the financial crisis was forcing member nations into
austerity.
EU spokesman Ton van Lierop said Friday the EU Commission wants "to
know as quickly as possible" why local authorities used money
typically earmarked to boost investment projects of poorer EU
countries for the British pop star's concert.
John performed before tens of thousands of people in September 2009 in
the heart of Naples at the Piedigrotta festival, which is backed by
local authorities.
National authorities have a lot of leeway on what spending to approve
from such investment funds under €50 million ($69 million), including
cultural projects, but the Commission wants to know why any money was
used for such a concert.
Van Lierop said in a telephone interview that €2.25 million of EU
funds were invested in the festival, with €720,000 dedicated to
organizing the Elton John concert.
He said the use of such funds for cultural ends often consisted of
renovating historic buildings or setting up cultural centers rather
than one-time concerts.
Dario Scalabrini, artistic director of the Piedigrotta festival,
defended the use of the funds, saying they were intended to promote
the area and the concert did just that.
The money went entirely for Elton John's performance fee, he said. He
said the concert was broadcast live on state TV and drew 100,000
spectators, including 6,000 tourists.
Elton John set Naples Plebiscitto square alight that night with such
classics like "Candle in the wind" and "Your song."
The whiff of budgetary scandal comes at a bad time, since European
Union nations want to contain the EU budget while they also have to
contain spending at home to keep their budget in line.
Van Lierop said the probe into the concert will be included in a
general assessment on how Naples' region of Campania puts EU funds to
good use. If the use of some funds are deemed inappropriate, the
amount of money could be withheld in a future disbursement.