Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The so called ORCA case involving former Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge and the owner of Bada Bing Jaap van der Heuvel was once again adjourned at around 5 pm on Thursday afternoon.
The case will be continuing on Friday morning at 8:30 am, at which time, prosecutors will present their closing arguments. Mr. Illidge is being tried for allegedly accepting a bribe of 150,000 dollars from the owner of Bada Bing.
In exchange for the money, Patrick Illidge allegedly was to use his authority to favor the Bada Bing owner in ensuring that the Ministry of Economic Affairs would grant adapted permits to the nightclub and seek a change in its official address, among others.
The former MP is also being charged with the possession of an illegal fire arm.
In her opening argument on Wednesday, the prosecutor requested some 30 months of which 10 should be conditional for Patrick Illidge.
Speaking to our news department shortly after the court proceedings on Thursday, attorney Ralph Richardson who is representing the former Member of Parliament expressed confidence, as he had the opportunity to present his argument on day two of the case on Thursday.
