PHILIPSBURG–Dutch consultant R.M., who was arrested by the Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service FIOD in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on August 23, at the request of the Anti-corruption Task Force TBO, was flow to St. Maarten on Sunday for questioning in the “Larimar” case.
TBO spokesperson Roderick Gouverneur confirmed on Monday evening that M. had been flown to St. Maarten and is being held at the Pointe Blanche prison. His detention had previously been ordered by the investigating judge in St. Maarten.
His arrest and order for temporary custody resulted from the “Larimar” investigation into corruption, money-laundering and the payment and acceptance of bribes in the construction sector in St. Maarten. In connection with this investigation the offices of Windward Roads in St. Maarten were searched earlier this year and its Director J.B. was arrested.
M. is also a suspect in the Dutch investigation “Frozen,” in which one of the construction companies from which he has received money is under investigation by the FIOD and the National Prosecutor’s Office FP. Frozen is the investigation into the involvement of VolkerWessels subsidiaries in the construction of the causeway in St. Maarten.
In cooperation with investigating authorities in Dutch St. Maarten, French St. Martin, the Netherlands and Spain, real estate of M. has been seized in these countries and searches have been conducted.
“Research has shown that R.M. through the years has received millions of dollars from different (construction) companies on various offshore bank accounts. R.M. is suspected of having paid (part of) these funds to politicians on St. Maarten,” the TBO had stated in a recent press release. “By use of this method, R.M. obtained illegally an estimated profit of approximately NAf. 9 million (approximately US $5 million).”
In connection with the reconstruction of St. Maarten after Hurricane Irma, TBO is paying extra attention to signs of corruption and fraud in both the public sector and the construction sector.
Bron: Daily Herald