WILLEMSTAD--Former Prime Minister of Curaçao Gerrit Schotte was found guilty of corruption and sentenced to three years in prison on Friday. The judge also ruled that Schotte cannot stand for election during five years.

The penalty is equal to the demand of the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Schotte’s life partner Cicely van der Dijs (owner of the gas stations VanDis) was also found guilty. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, of which nine suspended. This means that she will only stay in prison for nine months.
Schotte was accused of several other offenses including money laundering and forgery. The judge agreed that he abused his position as prime minister.
According to the prosecution he received funds from the Italian/Dutch casino boss in St. Maarten Francesco Corallo to establish his political party MFK. As prime minister, Schotte -as found proven by the judge- abused his power in favour of Corallo.
Schotte was prime minister of Curaçao from 2010 till 2012. He was the first prime minister of the new country Curaçao, after the Netherlands Antilles was abolished per 10-10-10.
MFK is currently the biggest opposition party in Parliament.