~Judge clears major crypto-linked bribery allegations but sentences MP to six months in prison over a separate Dijkhoff case~

PHILIPSBURG:---  In one of the most closely watched political corruption cases in recent years, Member of Parliament Rolando Brison won acquittals on two major bribery allegations after the Court of First Instance ruled prosecutors failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that several alleged payments, crypto transfers, hotel benefits, and business dealings were corrupt gifts.

The court rejected allegations tied to businessmen Robbie A. Dos Santos and Sunil L. Gehani that they had given bribes in excess of $90,000, accepting that prosecutors had not disproven Brison’s explanation that several financial transfers were linked to cryptocurrency transactions rather than bribery. Those findings represented a major partial legal victory for Brison in the most serious and widely debated parts of the case. Therefore, this major part of the case led to an acquittal.

However, in the same ruling delivered on 29 April 2026, the court found that bribery was proven in a separate matter involving businessman Johan Alexis Dijkhoffz, concluding that Brison accepted benefits, including money and airline tickets, in exchange for improperly favoring him while serving in public office. Brison was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, ordered to repay approximately US$8,000, and barred for five years from standing for election or serving as a civil servant.

A Split Verdict After Years of Scrutiny

Prosecutors alleged Brison had been “passively bribed” between 2018 and 2024 by three individuals:

• J.A. Dijkhoffz
• R.A. Dos Santos
• S.L. Gehani

After reviewing the evidence, the court ruled:

• Bribery not proven regarding Dos Santos
• Bribery not proven regarding Gehani
• Bribery proven regarding Dijkhoffz

That made the case both a partial acquittal and a criminal conviction.

CRYPTO TRANSFERS BECAME CENTRAL TO THE ACQUITTALS

Some of the prosecution’s most publicized allegations involved more than US$10,000 in transfers linked to Dos Santos through a Melkar prepaid account.

Brison and Dos Santos both maintained that the transactions were cryptocurrency exchanges, in which dollars were sent and crypto assets transferred in return.

The court pointed to several factors supporting that explanation:

• Dos Santos gave the same explanation as in his first police interview
• Messages referenced Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash
• Brison possessed crypto-related cards and wallets
• Evidence showed prior involvement in crypto activity

Because prosecutors failed to disprove that version beyond a reasonable doubt, the court ruled the transfers could not be classified as bribes.

COURT: DEFENDANT DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVE INNOCENCE

The judges emphasized that Brison did not have to prove his version of events.

Once a plausible alternative explanation existed, the burden remained on prosecutors to disprove it. In the Dos Santos and Gehani allegations, the court found they did not do so.

WHY WAS BRISON STILL CONVICTED

Despite the acquittals, the court found that Brison accepted benefits from Dijkhoffz, including money and airline tickets, and improperly favored him in return. Brison's defense stressed that these were standard exchanges between longtime friends, as they were small in amount, including lunches, dinners, and travel.

That conduct was ruled to be criminal bribery by a public official.

However, this is still far from the 24 months requested by the prosecutor, underscoring why this was a major blow to their case, given the substantial resources and funding that must have gone into convicting Brison.

SENTENCE: JAIL, REPAYMENT, POLITICAL BAN

The court imposed:

• 6 months imprisonment
• repayment of approximately US$8,000
• 5-year ban from standing for election
• 5-year ban from serving as a civil servant

Dijkhoffz was sentenced to 4 months' imprisonment.

Click here for the Official Court Verdict.

BES ISLANDS:--- Following the recommendation of the Minister of Justice and Security, David van Weel, the Council of Ministers has approved the appointment of K.K. (Karola) van Nie as Chief Public Prosecutor for Bonaire, St Eustatius, and Saba. She will succeed W.E. (Walter) Kupers, as of the date of her swearing-in.
Mrs. van Nie currently works as a National Witness Protection Officer at the National Public Prosecutor’s Office. Previously, she held various roles within the Public Prosecution Service, including as a Public Prosecutor in charge of youth affairs on St. Maarten, where she was responsible for handling juvenile cases and youth policy.
This appointment ensures that the Public Prosecution Service on Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba retains/ maintains experienced and competent leadership

PHILIPSBURG:---The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation has strongly objected to the government’s decision to close a section of Pondfill during the Carnival season, arguing that the move disrupts access to the official Carnival Village and negatively impacts booth holders operating inside the venue.
In a letter to the Minister, SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki described the decision as unfair and said it effectively creates a second Carnival Village outside the official grounds, diverting patrons and sales away from licensed operators inside.
The foundation also raised concerns about safety, saying crowds gathering outside the Village are not subject to the same security screening, controls, or monitoring as those entering the official Carnival area.
However, the controversy has also sparked wider public debate over the use of Festival Village booths throughout the year and who should benefit financially during the Carnival season.
Critics have questioned what government should do with booth holders who occupy Festival Village spaces for much of the year — in some cases reportedly up to ten months annually — and whether those operators should be prevented from earning income during Carnival, the busiest commercial period of the year.
Others argue that if private business owners are being restricted, then accountability should apply across the board, including to SCDF itself. Questions have also been raised regarding the foundation’s annual public subsidy and whether full financial statements are consistently submitted to government as part of transparency and funding requirements.
The broader issue has now evolved beyond road closures and vendor placement into a larger discussion about fairness, economic opportunity, public accountability, and how Carnival revenues should be shared among stakeholders.
As Carnival festivities continue in St. Maarten, many residents are calling for government to create a balanced policy that protects public safety, ensures transparency, and allows all legitimate businesses a fair opportunity to benefit from the island’s premier cultural celebration.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Ongoing efforts to improve cleanliness in Philipsburg and enhance both the visitor and resident experience continue with the phased placement of multifunction garbage bins in key areas across St. Maarten's capital, Philipsburg.
The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) procured a total of 80 bins as part of the 2023 national budget capital expenditures, as part of the broader Beautification of Philipsburg initiative. The bins are being introduced in high-traffic locations, including the Boardwalk, Front Street, and Back Street, where effective waste management is essential to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all who live, work, and visit the area. As part of the initial phase of the rollout, 23 multifunction bins have been installed along the Philipsburg Boardwalk.
The bin placement is part of a coordinated approach to address ongoing cleanliness challenges in Philipsburg, particularly in zones with high daily foot traffic. In response, TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten engaged Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) to support a temporary servicing arrangement during the peak cruise season, ensuring that priority locations remained properly maintained during periods of increased demand.
“Philipsburg is not only the center of our tourism activity, but also a space used daily by residents and businesses,” Heyliger-Marten stated. “Maintaining a clean and orderly environment is essential to both the visitor experience and the quality of life for our people. This initiative reflects a structured and ongoing effort to raise that standard.”
The temporary collaboration with PSG reflects a practical public–private approach to maintaining cleanliness during peak periods. Discussions are ongoing regarding the continuation of this support, as servicing and maintenance responsibilities transition to the Ministry of VROMI.
The multifunction bins are designed to support more efficient waste management and include integrated ashtrays to reduce cigarette litter. The units also provide opportunities for future advertising, which may help sustain maintenance efforts over time.
The Minister said that the placement of the bins is part of a wider effort to revitalize Philipsburg, supported by strengthened coordination between government and private-sector partners.
The Minister also called on residents and businesses to play an active role in maintaining the cleanliness of Philipsburg.” While the public bins are intended for pedestrian use and not for the disposal of commercial waste, everyone is encouraged to use them properly, avoid littering in public spaces, and dispose of cigarette waste in the built in ashtrays. Businesses, in particular, are reminded of their responsibility to manage and dispose of their own waste responsibly and to ensure that the areas directly in front of their establishments remain clean and free of debris throughout the day. Simple, consistent actions make a visible difference.”
TEATT will continue to coordinate with VROMI and relevant partners to ensure the full operationalization of servicing and maintenance as the rollout progresses.