PHILIPSBURG—Suspects in the “Colade” probe R.L. (56), F.A.A.B. (65) en E.A.I.F (36) were released Thursday morning just before 12:00pm, following their arrest on Monday.
The three are suspected of embezzlement in employment, theft and forgery as the result of a complaint filed by the head of the Finance Department on November 25, 2010 against employees of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. The investigation continues however the suspects answered questions during their detention.
The National Detective Agency has been busy with a long-term investigation against the staff of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. In this regard the National Detective Bureau on October 15, 2015 conducted house searches at five different locations. This investigation called Colade is now almost completed.
The case against a fourth suspect E.J.D. (51) in the investigation has already been brought in front of the judge. On March 25, 2015 he was sentenced to one (1) day in jail for complicity in the deliberate misappropriation of money or monetary instruments as an official.
The prosecution intends to present the remaining cases to court in the second half of 2016.
Source: Daily Herald
Colade suspects released at noon
