A former prosecutor and attorney general is said to have used commercial bank cards for private affairs as the general secretary of a foundation. He made excuses for the accountant’s questions about the foundation’s accounts.

The case came to light in 2017 following a report by the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP), where the man was active from 2010 to 2016. This international organization of prosecutors had indications that the man, as administrator of finances, was involved in the disappearance of funds. He would have embezzled an amount of almost fourteen thousand euros.

The man was very careless with the finances of the foundation. In meetings with the foundation board, where he had to render financial accounts, he made excuses as to why the annual accounts were not yet ready. The annual reports were prepared by an accountant and, as treasurer, the suspect had to provide information. Here too he was often late or made excuses.

Private use of credit card

Investigations revealed that the man frequently used the IAP business credit card for private purposes; both for shopping in the Netherlands and during and around business trips abroad. He kept a very poor accounting of this private use. The accountant approached the man several times. After the IAP withdrew its trust in the treasurer, the case began to roll.

Earlier this year, the Public Ministry announced that it would prosecute the man. He was in court this week. According to the Public Ministry, the man not only carelessly handled the foundation’s money, but also betrayed trust in the Public Ministry through his actions.

The prosecutor requires a 180-hour community service order and a two-month suspended prison sentence, with a two-year probationary period. The verdict is later this month.