Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson’s arrest on Monday sent shockwaves throughout the community. After all, this is not just any politician or public administrator, but the leader of the US Party; the Dutch side’s third biggest having captured three seats in the most recent election of September 2016, compared to five for NA, five for UP and two for DP.
It has to do with the Emerald probe into corruption at Port St. Maarten, in his case the alleged accepting of bribes and tax fraud. The elected representative is also suspected of involvement in a criminal organisation to recruit voters.
The US Party board issued a release saying their leader maintains his innocence and expects to be fully vindicated. They also questioned the timing of his detention so close to the election and cannot escape the impression that the prosecution is trying to influence the outcome with its “politically motivated” action.
In case readers were wondering, the Constitution stipulates that MPs placed in pre-trial custody are suspended, but that isn’t – at least not yet – the current situation. Moreover, the law says nothing about standing as a candidate while under investigation or even behind bars, unless there is an irrevocable sentence with no appeal options left.
This means Richardson can still run for public office and most probably will remain on the ballot at the top of his party’s list on February 26, regardless of what happens between now and then. Keep in mind as well that people are always innocent until proven guilty.
Things might also change quite a bit by 12 days from now when adult citizens make another early return to the polls. However, there is no denying that these latest developments – and possibly more related ones in the near future – have begun casting a shadow over the electoral campaign and process.
