It should be noted that the answers provided to SMN News by email are the same as the ones we have been getting from the Chief Prosecutor of St. Maarten Hans Mos these past months whenever we ask for an update on at least three specific cases.
SMN News requested information on the investigations on the Vote Buying Fraud Case which was already investigated by the Police Internal Affairs, the investigation involving former Minister of Health Maria Buncamper Molanus and her husband Claudius Buncamper for the selling of the economic rights of government leased land, and the investigation involving former Director of the Tourist Bureau Regina Labega.
The only difference this time is that Mos did not give the information to SMN News directly he released it to the spokesman of the Attorney General's office Norman Serphos. Mos already indicated to SMN News that he is not authorized neither is he in charge of the operations of the Landsrecherche. However, he admitted that he is fully aware of the operations of the Landsrecherche.
Serphos said the organization on St. Maarten is new even though it was established two years ago. According to Serphos, the Landsrecherche started in December 2010 with only four positions filled at the time. He said shortly after one more position was filled, but since January there are nine persons working at the Landsrecherche which includes the department head Ademar Doran and his secretary, while country St. Maarten is aiming to have 16 persons in that department. Serphos said the Landsrecherche of Sint Maarten is at this moment involved in several investigations. Many are ongoing investigations and have not yet been finalized. When finalized, those involved will be informed first.
The Attorney General spokesman who was hired on May 12, 2012 said that since the year 2010 the department investigated the following cases.
- The escape of Omar Nelson
- The escape of R. Spencer
- The death of prisoner Reid
- The death of nine persons at sea near Tortola related to the Cerberus investigation
- Investigation to the embezzlement in the prison
- Two disciplinary investigations
- A large international request for mutual legal assistance (rechtshulpverzoek)
- Investigation into the fraud/bribery of a civil servant at the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI). This case will go to court at the beginning of September
The conclusions of investigations 1, 2, and 4 were reported to the Attorney-General and reported by the Attorney-General to the Minister of Justice with the necessary recommendations. The Attorney General's Spokesman further stated that the Landsrecherche initiated several fact finding investigations which are still ongoing. When SMN News asked Mr. Serphos to provide further information on the infamous Vote buying investigation that involves three officers and a civil servant working at the Philipsburg Police Station. Serhpos said the investigation into the election fraud as well as the other cases mentioned such as the Buncamper's investigation and the Regina Labega investigation are still ongoing and the Attorney General's Office cannot and will not make any further statements.
SMN News also asked Serphos if there is a conflict of interest or semblance of conflict of interest with Ademar Doran investigating a case in which his former landlords are involved and since Mr. Doran also took a donation from the Sky of the Limit foundation for the police band. Serphos said there is no conflict of interest since there is no proof of such. Due to these remarks, SMN News has decided to show proof that the Head of the Landsrecherche Ademar Doran accepted a check from the President of the Sky is the Limit Foundation Maria Buncamper Molanus. The presentation of the check was published in the Daily Herald on Saturday August 12, 2006.
Norman Serphos further stated that it should be clear to all that investigations do not always lead to court. Investigations by the Landsrecherche can also lead to disciplinary actions, or can even be the reason for changes within organizations or structures within the government. The final result should be that mistakes can be avoided in the future.
Click here to view the publication in the Daily Herald where Head of the Landsrecherche Ademar Doran received a check from the President of the Sky is Limit Foundation Maria Buncamper Molanus.