SXMElections.com

ST. EUSTATIUS--Island Council member and Director of Norako N.V. Nicolaas "Koos" Sneek of the opposition Democratic Party ((DP)) of St. Eustatius filed a criminal complaint Tuesday against Island Councilman Clyde van Putten of coalition partner Progressive Labour Party (PLP).

Sneek filed a complaint against Van Putten with Acting Prosecutor Jacques van der Horde in connection with defamation, slander and damage to his reputation.

According to a letter sent by Sneek's attorney to Van Putten, the PLP leader allegedly levelled "evidently incorrect and serious allegations" against Sneek during a meeting of members of the Island Council with members of the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT on Friday, June 26.

Van Putten allegedly accused Sneek during this meeting of having defrauded St. Eustatius Housing Foundation out of US $80,000. As a Commissioner, Sneek allegedly also had favoured government contracts with accountancy bureau Baker Tilly because his company Norako is co-owner of this firm.

"These remarks are demonstrably incorrect. My client suffers damages as a consequence of these statements, since he and his company's honour and good reputation have been violated, especially concerning the small scale of Statia's community," Sneek's lawyer Christian de Jong stated.

According to De Jong, the statements against his client were unfounded and "illegitimate." Therefore, the PLP leader will be held liable not only under civil law, but also may face criminal charges of libel and slander.

Sneek's lawyer ordered Van Putten to repeal his statements publicly and in writing in The Daily Herald within five days. In the statement, the PLP leader would have to retract the offending statements and indicate that his remarks made during the meeting with CFT were "factually completely incorrect." He also would have to offer his apologies.

In case of noncompliance, Van Putten may be facing court action, as Sneek may be filing an injunction to enforce rectification of the "illegitimate" statements. Van Putten also may be facing damages, lawyer De Jong stated.

In his written report to the Prosecutor, Sneek said he was a regular victim of allegations during Island Council meetings. Van Putten is indeed known for his blunt criticism of, among others, the (DP) and its representatives in the Island Council.

The (DP) leader stated he felt threatened and feared for his life. Sneek said he had overheard a loud conversation between two men in a supermarket on Friday in which he and fellow (DP) party member Ernie Simmons both were threatened with being shot.

"Simmons would soon be found dead in his house, while I would be buried somewhere in the bushes. Bystanders were reminded that we're both living in rather remote areas," according to Sneek in his statement to the Prosecutor.