PHILIPSBURG:--- The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has upheld the convictions of Claudius Buncamper and Maria Buncamper Molanus, a couple involved in bribery and corruption on Sint Maarten. The case, stemming from the Ruby investigation, focused on irregularities in the tendering process for the island's landfill and abuse of official positions.
Case Background
The investigation began in 2018 following intelligence suggesting corruption in the tendering process for the landfill on Sint Maarten. Claudius Buncamper, then head of the ministry's management department, was accused of accepting bribes in exchange for awarding contracts and of abusing his position. His wife, Maria Buncamper Molanus, was implicated in passive official bribery for her role in the scheme.
Further evidence revealed that between 2013 and 2014, Claudius Buncamper had private expenses paid through false invoices issued by a company managing the sewage treatment plant. These expenses were then fraudulently charged to the ministry for which he worked.
Sentences and Convictions
The Joint Court of Justice convicted Claudius Buncamper of co-perpetrating bribery and forgery. He was sentenced to 32 months in prison and barred from holding public office for seven years. Maria Buncamper Molanus was convicted of co-perpetrating passive official bribery and received a suspended 12-month prison sentence along with 210 hours of community service.
Supreme Court Ruling
The couple appealed the convictions to the Supreme Court, arguing that the evidence supporting the bribery charges was insufficient. However, the Supreme Court dismissed their complaints, stating that the arguments did not raise any new legal questions or justify overturning the lower court's decision.
Due to the length of the legal proceedings, the Supreme Court slightly reduced the sentences. Claudius Buncamper’s prison term was reduced by one month to 31 months, while his seven-year ban from public office remained unchanged. Maria Buncamper Molanus’s community service was reduced to 200 hours, with her suspended prison sentence remaining intact.
Publication
The full rulings can be accessed on rechtspraak.nl under the references ECLI:NL:HR:2026:148 and ECLI:NL:HR:2026:149.