PHILIPSBURG–The Prosecutor’s Office has appealed the verdicts against all five suspects in the Buncamper case, the Office said in a statement Monday.
On April 7, the Court of First Instance found former politician Maria Buncamper-Molanus (48), her husband and high ranking civil servant Claudius Buncamper (52), notary Francis Gijsbertha (71) and owner of St. Maarten Building Supplies N.V. (SBS) Ivan Havertong (47) all guilty of committing forgery with authentic deeds and filing falsified tax returns in connection with a land deal on long lease.
The Buncampers both received a fully suspended prison sentence of 12 months, and 240 hours of community service. Havertong was sentenced to three months suspended, with 120 hours of community service. Notary Gijsbertha was sentenced to 240 hours of community service. Suspect T.O.W. was acquitted of all charges.
During the two-day hearings on March 16 and 17, Prosecutor Dounia Benammar requested that the Court sentence the Buncampers to 18 months, six of which were to be suspended, on three years’ probation.
Notary Gijsbertha should have been sentenced to 15 months, five of which were to be suspended, on three years’ probation, according to the Prosecutor.
The Prosecutor’s Office demanded 12 months, four of which were to be suspended, on three years’ probation, for Havertong. In T.O.W.’s case, the Prosecutor had called for four months suspended, on three years’ probation.
Not just the Prosecutor’s Office filed for appeal in this case. The Buncampers, notary Gijsbertha and Havertong appealed their convictions. It is not yet known when the Court will be hearing the appeals.
Source: Daily Herald
Prosecutor’s Office files for appeal in Buncamper case
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