SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--All suspects in the Bada Bing case, involving bribery, trafficking of women, tax evasion, money-laundering and forgery, have filed for appeal.

The Prosecutor's Office confirmed that former Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Illidge (49), Bada Bing brothel owner Jaap van den Heuvel (49), his manager Krijn van der Brug (42) and his company Lunteren NV have all launched appeals against their convictions by the Court of First Instance. It is not yet known when the appeals will be handled by the Joint Court of Justice.

Illidge and Van den Heuvel are the main suspects in the so-called Orca investigations. The Court of First Instance found it proven that Illidge had accepted a NAf. 50,000 bribe in exchange for which he was to use his power and influence in favour of the Bada Bing owner and his company, between March 2011 and October 2012.

On March 6, the Court of First Instance sentenced Illidge to 18 months, six of which were suspended, on two years' probation. His right to be elected was also revoked and the former MP was also banned from holding public office for five years.

Van den Heuvel received 42 months, 12 of which were suspended, with two years' probation.

Van der Brug was sentenced to nine months suspended, with two years' probation, and 240 hours of community service, for involvement in the trafficking of women.

Lunteren NV was ordered to pay NAf. 1.5 million in fines for tax evasion, money-laundering and trafficking of women.

The Prosecutor's Office has not filed for appeal. Immediately after the verdict, the Prosecutor's Office said it was "very pleased" with the Court's decisions. "The Court has made very well-motivated decisions, which the Prosecutor's Office may use in future investigations," spokesperson Tineke Kamps said last month.

The Prosecutor specifically mentioned the Court's reasoning concerning the abuse of the vulnerable position of the women in Bada Bing's employment and that it had been found proven that these women were exploited.