WILLEMSTAD - The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has not yet made a payment arrangement with convicted former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte. The reason for this is that Schotte's lawyer, Paula Janssen, was staying abroad.
Public Prosecutor Guillano Schoop explains that due to Janssen's absence, it has not yet been possible to make agreements about a possible payment arrangement. Schotte was sentenced to three years in prison for corruption, forgery, and money laundering. In addition, the former Prime Minister must pay 1.8 million guilders to the Public Prosecution Service. If he doesn't pay this money, he'll have to go back to prison for another three years. The deadline for this payment has already passed May 12.
Last month Schotte started crowdfunding to collect the amount, shortly afterward Orco Bank decided to shield his account for donations. It is not yet known when a payment arrangement will be made, but according to Schoop it must be realistic and be repaid within a relatively short period.