Additional research requested into tampering in Middelkerke casino file
This is reported by the public prosecutor’s office of West Flanders, Bruges department. After all, the Municipality of Middelkerke has requested additional research.
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, however, the choice fell again on Willemen and Napoleon Games.
Conflict of Interest
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. In response to that complaint, searches were carried out in June 2017 at the town hall and in the homes of the suspects.
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 Janna Rommel-Opstaele (Open Vld), the then mayor who has since passed away. As a result, the criminal action for her will have to be declared null and void in any case.
The council chamber would consider the matter on Wednesday morning. However, the civil party has filed a petition for additional investigation, which automatically meant that the case had to be postponed indefinitely.