PHILIPSBURG–The suspect, Dutch consultant R.M. was arrested Thursday August 23 in Rotterdam by the Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD) at the request of the Anti-corruption Taskforce (TBO). The temporary detention had previously been ordered by the Investigating Judge on Sint Maarten.
The arrest and the order for temporary custody resulted from the investigation “Larimar”, an investigation into corruption, money laundering and the payment and acceptance of bribes in the construction sector on Sint Maarten. In connection with this investigation the offices of Windwards Roads in Sint Maarten were searched earlier this year and its Director J.B. arrested.
M. is also a suspect in the Dutch investigation “Frozen”, where one of the construction companies from which he has received money is under investigation by the FIOD and the National Public Prosecutor’s Office (FP). Frozen is the investigation into the involvement of VolkerWessels subsidiaries in the construction of the Causeway in Sint Maarten.
In co-operation with investigating authorities in Sint Maarten, Saint-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 Sint Maarten,” the TBO stated in a press release on Thursday afternoon. “By use of this method, R.M. an estimated illegally obtained profit of approximately NAF 9 million (approximately USD 5 million).”
In connection with the reconstruction of Sint Maarten after Hurricane Irma, TBO pays extra attention to signs of corruption and fraud in both the public sector and the construction sector.
Bron: Daily herald