FRAUD IN DUTCH CONSTRUCTION BRANCH

The top of the Dutch construction branch will be prosecuted for its share in the construction fraud affair which came out two years ago. Twelve representatives of the ventures like BAM, Heijmans, Koop Tjuchem and KWS must justify themselves this year in a megaproces concerning illegal deals, swindle, fencing, forgery and participation to a criminal organisation.

Three of them are also suspected of bribing civil servants. This has been announced by the Dutch Public Prosecution department. A decision concerning the criminal prosecution of hundred other suspecteds and against twelve corrupt civil servants will be taken later.

Meanwhile at the Rotterdam court forty days are reserved for the construction fraud case. The For two years the Dutch Public prosecution department already studies this extensive fraud in the Dutch construction world. Investigations concentrated on companies which have been involved with eight construction projects. Four employees of the construction company KWS

are prosecuted and two employees of a division of a eompany called BAM. Three persons of Heijmans and three of buy Koop have to give account for the Rotterdamse court. A spokesman of the coorperation of Dutch constructers AVBB called it a black day for the sector.

The construction fraud cam out in the open after an employee of Koop-Tjuchem revealed copies of the bookkeeping that show secret illegal appointments within the construction world. During the the previous parliamentary inquiry on the construction fraud it became clear that that companies conspired on a large scale obtaining infrastructural projects. This construction trust damaged municipalities and the Dutch state for billions. more features

Januari 16, 2004