The cases against suspects in the “Emerald” investigation conducted by the anti-corruption unit: Team Bestrijding Ondermijning (TBO) continued in court on Sint Maarten this week.
The cases against C.E. and S.D. resumed on Tuesday, March 27th, 2018, while A.K.L. and S.W. were heard for the first time in court. The case against Member of Parliament C.B. resumed on Thursday, March 29th, 2018.
In the “Emerald” investigation 7 sole proprietors were accused of income and turnover tax evasion in a corruption ring at the Sint Maarten Port between 2013-2016.The companies altogether deprived country Sint Maarten of over 6 million guilders in tax revenue.
The Public Prosecutor demanded an unconditional prison sentence of 15 months, two-year probation and a NAf 250.000 fine for suspects C.E., S.D., S.W. and A.K.L.
For suspect C.B. the Public Prosecutor demanded an unconditional prison sentence of 18 months, two-year probation and a NAf 250.000 fine. The Public Prosecutor has demanded a sterner sentence for C.B., because as a Member of Parliament the Public Prosecutor feels he was in the position to set a better example.
The 5 sole proprietors own construction related companies and were hired to carry out work in and around the Sint Maarten Port. The Public Prosecutor has demanded such firm sentences in an attempt to send a clear message that corruption cannot be tolerated, as well to prevent further corruption in the construction industry on Sint Maarten, particularly in light of the 550 million euros in recovery funds from the Netherlands reserved for the island post Hurricane Irma.
The court will announce their verdicts on Tuesday, April 17th, 2018. The Public Prosecutor has appealed the verdicts in the cases against A.E.A. and K.G.F., whom are also suspects in the Emerald Investigation. The two received community service sentences and conditional prison sentences.