Case about possible tampering Middelkerke casino file postponed
The prosecutor’s office asks that all suspects be removed from prosecution, but the municipality of Middelkerke does not accept that.
The issue surrounding the construction of the new Middelkerke casino caused a lot of controversy in 2016 and 2017. The then municipal council opted for the project of construction group Willemen and gaming company Napoleon Games, but was called back by the Council of State. In a new procedure, the choice fell again on Willemen and Napoleon Games.
According to the opposition, there was a conflict of interest in the tender. At the end of 2016, the then opposition leader and current mayor Jean-Marie Dedecker (LDD) filed a civil complaint with the Bruges investigating judge for this alleged tampering. As a result of that complaint, searches were carried out in June 2017 at the town hall and in the homes of the suspects.
Insufficient clues
The judicial investigation into the facts has now been completed. According to the public prosecutor’s office, the investigation has not brought to light sufficient indications. In those circumstances, the Public Prosecution Service will therefore ask the Chamber of Deputies to exclude the suspects from prosecution. These include two aldermen at the time, Willemen and Napoleon Games.
The then mayor Janna Rommel-Opstaele (Open VLD) has passed away in the meantime, which means that the criminal action for her must be declared null and void in any case. The Municipality of Middelkerke submitted extensive conclusions that there were indeed several crimes, such as bribery and interest. The other parties now also have the opportunity to put their positions on paper. On January 18, a plea will be made about a possible suspension of prosecution or referral.