Free software and corruption?

[Daniel Pocock]

There was some discussion at FOSDEM on Saturday about how to get MEP
interest in free software

One thing that appeared today is this report about corruption in public
institutions throughout the EU:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26014387

Has any research been done to identify whether use of free software
reduces the rate of corruption in IT projects and operational budgets? 
The complete elimination of licensing payments would theoretically
eliminate one opportunity for bad things to happen both directly (e.g.
purchasing features/seat licenses that are not really needed) and
indirectly (e.g. opportunities for VAT fraud on license payments)