Former MP forfeiture case heard in court
- Published in Soualiga Newsday Top Stories TWO
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Court of First Instance (file photo)
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Court of First Instance heard on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the forfeiture claim (ontnemingsvordering) filed by the Prosecutor’s Office OM SXM against A.A., a former Member of Parliament, in connection with the vote-buying case known as “Aconitum”.
The Prosecution is seeking the recovery of XCG 168,189.58, representing salary and transitional allowance (wachtgeld) received by A. since his election in January 2024.
According to the OM, these payments are the direct proceeds of criminal acts, namely election fraud and perjury, which enabled his swearing-in as Member of Parliament on February 10, 2024. A verdict in the forfeiture case is expected to be delivered on October 22, 2025, at 8:45am.
In January 2025, A. was convicted in first instance for vote buying. The court sentenced him to 18 months’ imprisonment and imposed a six-and-a-half year disqualification from holding public office or participating in elections. A. has appealed this verdict. The Court of Appeal case will be handled on November 3, 2025.
Wednesday’s hearing concerned only the recovery of unlawfully obtained benefits, separate from the criminal case and sentence.
The OM maintains that individuals who benefit financially from criminal conduct should not retain those gains.