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Witness Says Frans Got Large Commission For Btp Building But Also Other Former Politicians

The Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP) building in Cannegieter Street.

~ Including $200k in political contributions to Ohndhae ~

PHILIPSBURG--Two witnesses testified under oath in open court on Wednesday as part of former Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardsons appeal of his 2021 conviction for bribery and abuse of position in the so-called Aquamarine II investigation Read more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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‘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

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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

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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

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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

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Vorst heirs offer a reduced land price

PHILIPSBURG--Government has been offered the Vorst land in Cay Hill for US $1 million less by the heirs to the property. This now puts the purchase price at US $4.5 million.

Caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said the Council of Ministers has not taken a decision on whether to accept the offer. Her preference is to leave the offer for the incoming cabinet to make a decision.

Outgoing Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure VROMI Minister Maurice Lake had come under much fire for opting to purchase the land, instead of following an earlier proposal with the heirs for government to lease land.

The purchase price was higher than the lease price Read more

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Top 10 ship-jumpers

Dear Editor,

Top 10 ship-jumpers, since inception of Country Sint Maarten in 2010

1. Romain Laville;

2. Cornelius de Weever;

3. Sarah Wescot-Williams;

4 Read more

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Marchers call for ‘respect’ and end to Dutch ‘insult’

PHILIPSBURG--"We didn't vote for Bosman or Van Raak" and "Enough is enough. This is our country" were some of the messages on the placards carried by an estimated 200 marchers who took to the street Sunday afternoon to express their discontent with the Kingdom Council of Ministers' instruction to Governor Eugene Holiday to carry out what has been deemed an invasive, boundless screening into the lives of minister candidates.

The march started off from the ring road with the sizable group heading down W.J.A Read more

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Vorst land purchase to be omitted from 2014 budget amendment

~ Roy's amendment to budget amendment passed ~

PHILIPSBURG--An amendment to remove the purchase of the Vorst Estate property from a budget amendment tabled by Finance Minister Martin Hassink was passed during a public plenary session of parliament on Monday.

It was the third time the meeting had been convened to handle this and other issues. The first two meetings were cancelled due to lack of quorum. The motion, which was tabled by Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Roy Marlin, was passed by seven of MPs voting in favour of the amendment and six voting against it.

Supporting the motion were author Roy Marlin, National Alliance (NA) MPs William Marlin, Hyacinth Richardson, George Pantophlet and Louie Laveist and Independent MPs Frans Richardson and Romain Laville Read more

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Budget amendment meet called off again due to lack of quorum

PHILIPSBURG--The public plenary session of Parliament on amendments to the 2014 budget was cancelled for the second time on Friday, as only four Members of Parliament (MPs) showed up and signed in for the meeting.

The meeting was first called off on Wednesday, due to the lack of a quorum when seven MPs were signed in, though United People's (UP) party MPs and Independent MP Dr. Lloyd Richardson had been in the building.

Present at Friday's session were National Alliance (NA) MPs Hyacinth Richardson and George Pantophlet, Democratic Party (DP) MP Roy Marlin and United People's (UP) party MP Gracita Arrindell Read more

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Editorial - Majority rule

A lot of frustration is being expressed by voters about the meanwhile-confirmed latest political twist that will see a UP-led government take office after all. Many uttered disbelief as to how something like this was even possible, let alone allowed to take place.

Some reason that especially as DP candidate and caretaker minister Cornelius de Weever had failed to earn a Parliament seat outright in terms of preferential votes, he should not be able to "jump ship" and torpedo the seemingly-incoming NA/DP/US Party coalition of which his party was to be part Read more

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No quorum for budget amendment meeting

~ UP, Dr. Richardson, Illidge, De Weever absent ~

PHILIPSBURG--The public plenary session of Parliament on amendments to the 2014 budget was cancelled on Wednesday due to the lack of a quorum, as only seven Members of Parliament (MPs) were signed in.

Parliament Press Secretary Roddy Heyliger said in a press release last night that the session had been rescheduled to Friday at 10:00am.

At least eight MPs are needed for the meeting to proceed Read more

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MPs concerned about TelEm-Digicel accord

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed concern about the signing of a financial information sharing contract between the St. Maarten Telephone Group of Companies TelEm and regional telecom company Digicel.

Democratic Party (DP), National Alliance (NA) and Independent MPs Frans Richardson and Patrick Illidge expressed concerns during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Friday, to handle amendments to the 2014 budget.

Neither United People's (UP) party MPs nor independent MP Dr Read more

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Plasterk steers clear of planning Bada Bing trial

THE HAGUE--Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk is not getting involved in the scheduling of the Bada Bing bribery case by the Court and the fact that this trial will only take place in the first months of 2015.

"It is not up to me as Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations to judge on the term that the Prosecutor's Office and the Joint Court of Justice set for the handling of criminal cases, no matter how important it is to have a timely handling," Plasterk informed the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Wednesday.

He stated in his short response to written questions submitted by Member of the Second Chamber Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) that he didn't have information either on what persons were being heard as suspects by the Prosecutor's Office in St Read more

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