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Former Pm Marcel Gumbs Reacts To Dr. Martha “Not Possible To Revoke Dissolution Decree”

St. Maarten / By Hilbert Haar – “I think that not all the facts were presented to him,” former Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told this newspaper yesterday in a reaction to the interview with Dr. Rutsel Martha. “He is a good friend and very clever, though somewhat controversial, but his specialty is not in constitutional law.”

Gumbs said that he had acquired advice from three constitutional experts – professors Arjen van Rijn, Tijn Kortmann and Joop van den Berg Read more

EXCLUSIVE: APS and Government signed off on sweetheart deal ---- Corruption continues as current government tries to tell the people they want to end ship jumping

style="text-align: center;">APS got VORST land for a symbolic Guilder for housing development.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Gumbs cabinet proclaim they are doing all they can to stop ship jumping and to control the instability of government on St. Maarten by calling for new elections and not working on election reform which will be the only tool to curb the ship jumping. Certain Ministers told SMN News that what they are doing is not for their own interest instead they are protecting St. Maarten’s image.
SMN News is well known for exposing what takes place in government and while politicians are focusing on the bridge loan the Harbor obtained from SZV to settle the ZEBEC deal SMN News got something better Read more

Former MP De Weever stands trial for stealing blogger’s tablet

PHILIPSBURG--Former Member of Parliament (MP) Petrus Leroy de Weever (61) stood trial Wednesday on allegations he had stolen blogger J.R.’s tablet during an altercation on Front Street on January 11, 2014.

The Prosecutor’s Office considers the case proven and requested that the Court sentence the senior politician to payment of a NAf Read more

Only 6 Of 22 Motions Since 2012 Yielded Results: Motions Carry The Day – But Only In Parliament

St. Maarten – The motions Members of Parliament submit during the annual budget debate seldom yield results. This newspaper examined 28 motions a host of parliamentarians tabled since 2012. With 22 of them successive government did absolutely nothing. Six of them yielded (some) results.

When governments fail to execute motions, parliament never retaliates. In the Netherlands, a cabinet that refuses or neglects to execute a motion that is carried by a majority in parliament, could lead to a cabinet crisis Read more

Does USP know something?

Everyone may think of United St. Maarten Party (USP) leader Frans Richardson what they want. Elected into Parliament on the slate of National Alliance (NA) in 2010, he left the party and kept his seat.

Together with the other independent parliamentarians Romain Laville and Patrick Illidge who had broken with respectively United People's (UP) party and NA, he orchestrated the so-called "Carnival coup" of 2012 to bring about a change in government that lasted one year.

Richardson then established USP, which earned two seats in its first election of September 2014 Read more

Appeals filed in Bada Bing case

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 Read more

St. Maarten should seek to have its own Attorney General --- Current Attorney General does not work in the interest of St. Maarten --- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson.

style="text-align: center;">Ruling Majority totally against draft ordinance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson did not mingle with words on Monday morning when he was responding to questions regarding the draft ordinance to establish the integrity chamber on St. Maarten.
On the question as to who is responsible for justice on St. Maarten, Minister Richardson said that the Minister of Justice is responsible for justice in each country, however, he made clear that St Read more

Illidge to sit for bribery, loses right to be elected

PHILIPSBURG--Former independent Member of Parliament (MP)Patrick Illidge (49) was sentenced Friday to eighteen months in prison, six of which were suspended, on two years' probation for bribery. The Judge also revoked Illidge's right to be elected and imposed a ban from holding public office for five years.

During the hearings in this case, which took place February 11-13, the Prosecutor's Office had requested 30 months, 10 of which were to be suspended.

Illidge and Bada Bing brothel owner Jaap van den Heuvel were the main suspects in the so-called Orca investigations Read more

Bada Bing owner guilty of bribery, tax evasion, trafficking of women

PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance convicted Bada Bing owner Jaap van den Heuvel (49) Friday to 42 months, twelve of which were suspended, on two years' probation. He was found guilty of bribery of former independent Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge, and of money-laundering, tax evasion, trafficking of women and forgery of a commercial lease agreement.

Van den Heuvel was not present to hear the Court's decision in his case, as he is currently residing in the Netherlands.

Third suspect in the so-called Orca investigations, Bada Bing manager Krijn van der Brug (41) was sentenced to nine months suspended on two years' probation and 240 hours of community service for involvement in the trafficking of women.

Van den Heuvel's company Lunteren NV was ordered to pay NAf Read more

>PHILIPSBURG--- Former Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge did not get good news on Friday morning when the Court of First Instance rendered its verdict in the bribery charges.  The former Member of Parliament was acquitted on the illegal posssesson charges however Illidge was condemned to 18 months imprisonment, six of which are suspended Read more

Editorial - Integrity broom

Not to comment on the content of a trial in progress, but the argument that Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge "used influence to get things done" (see Friday's and today's stories) is an interesting one from a historical perspective. You see, "getting things done" was very much part of St. Maarten's political culture, over the years leading to campaign slogans such as "Man of Action."

This is not all that surprising, considering the very rapid development of its tourism economy the Dutch side experienced in the latter part of the previous century while the public administration – to a large extent directed from Willemstad – was simply not able to handle the increased workload.

Whether it regarded employment and residence papers, building permits or business licences, to a certain extent demand simply exceeded supply Read more

Ruling in Bada Bing case expected Friday, March 6

PHILIPSBURG--"My life is ruined. I never got a chance. I have done nothing wrong. This atrocity I wish to no one," former Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Illidge said Friday during the final day of hearings in the so-called Bada Bing case.

Illidge said his political career had been over ever since he was accused of involvement in bribery.

As chairman of Parliament's Justice Committee, he had been instrumental in providing the Prosecutor's Office with more tools to investigate cases, he said Read more

Lawyer: ‘Patrick Illidge used influence to get things done’

PHILIPSBURG--Former Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Illidge is not guilty of bribery but has only done his duty as an MP in “assisting citizens in their attempts and efforts to persuade ministers and civil servants to do what they are supposed to do,” lawyer Ralph Richardson said Thursday.

Together with Bada Bing night club owner Jaap van den Heuvel (49) Illidge (49) is the main suspect in a case of bribery in which Illidge allegedly accepted bribes for the total amount of US $150,000 between March 2011 and October 2012.

In exchange for the money, Illidge was to use his power and influence to favour the Bada Bing owner in ensuring the Ministry of Economic Affairs or other government agencies would grant an operational licence to the nightclub and seek a change in its official registered address from Maho Shopping Centre to Sr Read more

Jaap van den Heuvel seeks full acquittal

PHILIPSBURG--Lunteren NV director Jaap van den Heuvel's legal defence team provided a big stack of papers and needed four hours of pleadings on Thursday in their efforts to seek the Bada Bing nightclub owner's acquittal on eight charges, including bribery, money laundering and trafficking of women.

As one of the two main suspects in the so-called "Orca" investigations, Van den Heuvel (49) is facing four years' imprisonment. Lunteren NV is facing a NAf Read more

Orca Case Set To Continue Friday

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 Read more

Illidge and Van den Heuvel face prison time in Bada Bing trial

PHILIPSBURG--The Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday requested 48 months against Bada Bing night club owner Jaap van den Heuvel and thirty months, ten of which are to be suspended, with two years' probation, for former independent Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Illidge during the first day of hearings in the so-called "Orca" trial.

Van den Heuvel (49) and Illidge (49) are the main suspects in a case of bribery in which Illidge accepted bribes from Bada Bing and Lunteren NV's owner for the total amount of US $150,000 between March 2011 and October 2012.

In exchange for the money, Illidge was to use his power and influence to favour the Bada Bing owner in ensuring the Ministry of Economic Affairs would grant adapted permits to the nightclub and seek a change in its official registered address from Maho Shopping Centre to Sr Read more

‘Bada Bing’ trial kicks off today

PHILIPSBURG--The court hearings in the so-called "Orca" or "Bada Bing" case will be kicking off in the Court of First Instance today, Wednesday, at 9:00am. The case involves a number of alleged illegal practices in and concerning Bada Bing nightclub in Simpson Bay.

In the trial, former Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge (49) will be facing charges of accepting bribes from Bada Bing and Lunteren N.V Read more

Bosman, Van Raak sanction intervention by The Hague

THE HAGUE--Intervention of the Kingdom Government is painful and it might be experienced by some as unjust, but it is necessary because without help from the Netherlands, St. Maarten will not be able to tackle the integrity violations and clean up the dirty politics.

Members of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) and André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party wholeheartedly supported the decision of the Kingdom Council of Ministers last Friday, to start the procedure to invoke a so-called General Measure of the Kingdom Government (“Algemene Maatregel van Rijksbestuur” AMvRB) to set up an Integrity Chamber for St Read more

West Indian Village launched

DUTCH QUARTER--The West Indian Village, welcomed as a positive cultural and family-friendly development, was inaugurated on the evening of Friday, January 30, amongst dignitaries, community members and other supporters in the heart of Dutch Quarter.

Owner Henry Lynch was praised for his vision, passion and tenacity in initiating the project and carrying it through to fruition in various speeches by dignitaries, friends and colleagues.

The Village features eight white-framed, brightly coloured wooden structures all serving local and regional food, a sheltered airy space with benches and leisure amenities, and an outdoor playground.

It was created, the small restaurants in particular, to showcase and enjoy local culture, as well as the various nationalities represented in Dutch Quarter Read more

Bada Bing Trial To February 11

St. Maarten – The Court in First Instance set the date for the Bada Bing bribery trial for February 11 and 12 yesterday, overruling objections from attorneys who wanted more time to study the dossier and one who would have loved to keep February 11 free because it is his birthday.

Former independent MP Patrick Illidge, who is charged with taking $150,000 in bribes from Bada Bing owner Jaap van den Heuvel appeared in court with his attorney Ralph Richardson Read more

St. Maarten Parliament Keeps Silent On Integrity-Assessment

St. Maarten – It is easy to lose sight of a 250-page integrity report, but this is exactly what seems to be happening at this moment. Reason for Today to revisit the PricewaterhouseCoopers integrity-probe and to refresh the memory about the areas the researchers recommended for future analysis.

The issue that stands out, and has gained momentum due to recent developments concerning politicians, is the Parliament. The inquiry team has proposed as a major priority to conduct “a targeted integrity assessment of St Read more

Bada Bing trial set for February 11-12

PHILIPSBURG--The court hearings in the so-called "Orca" case will be taking place on February 11 and 12, the Court of First Instance decided Wednesday during a brief session.

In the trial, former Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge (49) will be facing charges of accepting bribes from Bada Bing and Lunteren N.V.'s owner Jaap van den Heuvel (49) for the total amount of US $150,000 between October 2010 and September 2012.

In exchange for the money, Illidge allegedly was to use his power and influence to favour the Bada Bing owner in ensuring the Ministry of Economic Affairs would grant adapted permits to the nightclub and seek a change in its official registered address.

Illidge allegedly also was to promote extended opening hours for Bada Bing and seek the extension of work permits for several female employees.

Illidge was also charged with possession of an illegal firearm.

The indictment against Van den Heuvel consists of eight charges, including the alleged bribery of Illidge, money laundering and membership in a criminal organisation involved in forgery, tax evasion, trafficking of women and the employment of women without a work permit.

Lunteren N.V Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- As the yearly challenge comes around to select the person of year, this year was not as challenging as it was in the past years, simply because the candidate that was selected made the headlines both locally and internationally more than any other person on St. Maarten. While being in politics for half of his life, during the entire time he was in opposition for a mere 18 months.
That person is none other than Theodore Heyliger who had over 18 years to make this sunshine city really shine Read more