Nieuwpoort (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The public prosecutor’s office is investigating potential fraud in a Nieuwpoort parking tender, raising concerns over transparency and procurement practices.
A criminal investigation is confirmed to be under progress by the public prosecutor’s office, and this is confirmed by the Krant van West-Vlaanderen (KW). It would have to do with anomalies in the parking lot tender.
The publication claims that local politicians, such as the present mayor, an alderman, and the head of the municipal council, are the primary focus of the probe.
The case is a spin-off of an inquiry of two Nieuwpoort, Belgium, building magnates that was carried out a few years ago, according to Krant van West-Vlaanderen.
At the time, the Sea Coast Group’s two founders were suspected of money laundering and tax evasion. The businesses escaped additional prosecution after reaching an agreement with the courts in 2023.
The publication claims that during that examination, anomalies were found in the concession for above-ground and underground parking in the city as well as the tender for the construction and operation of three underground parking lots.
The government deal proved to be extremely profitable for the winning company, but the city hardly profited from it, according to KW. As a result, the question of whether any additional parties profited from the case and whether this was done lawfully is currently being looked into.
It is accurate to say that this tender was released in 2012.
The current administration is pointing to previous mayor Roland Crabbe, who passed away in 2016, and none of them are aware of the criminal inquiry, according to Krant van West-Vlaanderen.
While acknowledging the existence of a criminal inquiry, the public prosecutor’s office declined to comment.
What role do public prosecutors typically play in uncovering municipal frauds?
The prosecution and suppression of crimes would be impossible without the initiative of public prosecutors, who are regarded as the “gatekeepers” of criminal justice. They are in charge of upholding justice and representing the interests of society, particularly when public authorities are involved.
Investigations into possible fraud may be directed, supervised, or overseen by prosecutors. They can start investigations on their own in certain judicial systems, but in others, they have to wait for the police to alert them. Choosing whether to start a prosecution and, if required, appealing court rulings are among their responsibilities.
It is the responsibility of prosecutors to ensure that public actions are lawful and to alert the courts to any instances of corrupt or illegal behavior by state personnel.
