ARUBA: Former Government Official Sentenced to 36 Months in Prison for Embezzlement Scheme
A Significant Blow to Corruption in Aruba
A former Aruban government official, residing in Florida, was sentenced to 36 months in prison today for his role in a money laundering scheme that involved corrupt payments to influence the awarding of contracts with a state-owned telecommunications corporation.
The Offender
Egbert Yvan Ferdinand Koolman, 49, a Dutch citizen and former product manager at Servicio di Telecommunicacion di Aruba N.V. (Setar), was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno.
The Scheme
Koolman admitted to operating a money laundering conspiracy from his position at Setar between 2005 and 2016, where he conspired with others to transmit funds from the United States to Aruba and Panama to promote a wire fraud scheme and corrupt scheme that violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He received over $1.3 million in bribes from individuals and companies in exchange for using his position at Setar to award lucrative mobile phone and accessory contracts.
Sentencing
In addition to his prison sentence, Koolman was ordered to serve three years of supervised release following his prison term and pay over $1.3 million in restitution.
International Cooperation
This case is a significant blow to corruption in Aruba, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating embezzlement schemes. The investigation into this case was led by the FBI’s International Corruption Unit in Miami, with assistance from law enforcement colleagues in Aruba and Panama. The Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lois Foster-Steers prosecuted the case.
Key Points
- Koolman received over $1.3 million in bribes for awarding contracts
- He was sentenced to 36 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release
- He must pay over $1.3 million in restitution
- The investigation involved international cooperation between the FBI and law enforcement agencies in Aruba and Panama