PHILIPSBURG:--- The Public Prosecutor's Office arrested Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge on Monday morning. A short press release from Prosecutor Tineke Kamps states that MP Illidge was arrested on January 20th, 2014 by the Landsrecherche. Kamps said the Member of Parliament was arrested on the accounts of bribery, money laundering, and taking part in an association that has its aim to commit criminal offenses. Kamps said MP Patrick Illidge voluntarily turned himself in, she further stated that the interrogation is pending. Kamps said in the interest of the investigation no further information can be disclosed.
The Orca investigation started in March last year following the showing of a film on the websites of The Daily Herald and the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. On the footage JvdH, owner of the "Bada Bing" brothel, can be seen handing over probably banknotes to the independent parliamentarian PI. JvdH was arrested last year. His pre-trial detention is suspended.
The Attorney General of St. Maarten Taco Stein was given permission by the Court of Appeals on December 30th, 2013 to prosecute the MP, but the prosecution chose to allow the Member of Parliament to be free and to travel until the draft budget debate for 2014 concluded last week.
According to well-placed sources, MP Illidge was supposed to meet with the Landsrecherche last week Monday but they postponed the appointment to this Monday in order for the budget debate to take place.
A source close to MP Illidge said that Illidge went to the scheduled appointment at 8am on Monday and he as arrested shortly after.
Arrest in Orca Investigation
Monday morning, January 20th, 2014 PI was arrested by the Landsrecherche. The suspect was arrested on the accounts of bribery, money laundering and taking part in association, that has as its aim the committing of criminal offenses. PI voluntarily turned himself in. The interrogation is pending. In the interest of the ongoing investigation no further information can be disclosed.
The Orca investigation started in March last year following the showing of a film on the websites of The Daily Herald and the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. On the footage JvdH, owner of the "Bada Bing" brothel, can be seen handing over probably banknotes to the independent parliamentarian PI. JvdH was arrested last year. His pre-trial detention is suspended.
Press Release from Public Prosecutor's Office
