General Controls began Friday.
PHILIPSBURG: --- A large scale investigation is underway at SZV after the new management discovered that an employee is suspected of selling SZV cards to people that are not legally insured and they are registered under several bogus companies. Last week Member of Parliament Franklin Meyers announced through a press release that he is monitoring the investigation. SZV confirmed in a short statement that there is an ongoing investigation but due the nature of the investigation no details could be released.
SMN News learnt that the discovery was made in January 2015 by the new management and SZV started an internal investigation with their own team of investigators. Management of the Health Insurance Company then went ahead and hired external experts to work along with their internal expert to determine how many cards were sold.
Last week SZV filed an official complaint with the Public Prosecutors Office while they also have other judicial experts working on what is termed as one of the largest investigations on the island.
Further investigation by SMN News shows that the selling of SZV medical insurance cards go way back to when the Brooks Towers project started. A well-placed source said that this investigation could well shake up the island especially knowing that St. Maarten is under the microscope for integrity issues because this involves the labor department, the chamber of commerce, immigration department and several bogus companies that are signing working documents for foreign workers.
"Can you imagine how many persons could obtain the Dutch nationality illegally because they obtained their residency illegally declaring that they are working for companies that does not exists and even got medical insurances illegally."
According to information SMN News gathered is that the team of investigators and the prosecution will be focusing on several persons who took monies from people to sign for working and residency papers especially during the Brooks Towers 1 and 2 period.
As SZV and the other judicial authorities widen the scope of the investigation they began a general control last week where companies will be controlled. The unannounced control are conducted by the SZV, Labor and Immigration officers.
Efforts made on Saturday to reach press prosecutor Tineke Kamps on Saturday proved futile as she could not be reached by telephone or email. SMN News will bring you an update as soon as Kamps can be reached.
