PHILIPSBURG--The Joint Court of Justice on Thursday ordered the immediate suspension of Chief Executive Officer of Port St. Maarten Group of Companies (PSGC) Mark Mingo. The suspension of the harbour director was one of several requests the Prosecutor’s Office filed with the Court in its petition for an administrative inquiry into alleged wrongdoings within PSGC and thirteen sister companies.
The Joint Court was also to present its decision on the inquiry yesterday, but that decision was delayed until December 13 for a second round of discussions on the matter between the Prosecutor’s Office and the Port and Country St. Maarten.
The Prosecutor’s Office had requested the Court to take a number of measures, but only the request to suspend the director of the port company with immediate effect.
Mingo was already declared non-active on the orders of the Port’s Supervisory Board of Directors since August 21, 2017. As a result of his suspension, however, he now also formally loses the authority to represent PSGC.
Mingo was on leave of absence since his release from police custody on June 28, 2017, three weeks after he was arrested in connection with the “Emerald” investigation.
Mingo (47) is suspected of defrauding the Port of a total amount of US $11 million in conjunction with Checkmate Security Director O’Neal Arrindell.
The prosecution had also requested the Court to order an administrative inquiry into the harbour operations and to make other arrangements. The Court has not yet decided on this.
The Court considered that the Prosecutor’s actions against the Port have already had an effect on a number of points. These include the appointments of new directors and Supervisory Board members and the introduction of a whistleblowing scheme.
In suspending a decision on the Prosecutor’s Office’s request for an inquiry with six months, the Court gives the Port Companies the opportunity to take further measures to improve policies and the state of affairs within its organisation.
