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Army vehicle boss investigated over 'cars for contracts' corruption claims

The head of the Dutch army’s vehicle fleet has been accused of taking advantage of his position to acquire luxury cars for himself.

Jacques H. is said to have bought a new car every few months at a discounted rate, only paying after selling them on, again for a favourable price. Effectively, therefore, he drove the cars for free.

H., who was responsible for a fleet of 6000 vehicles at the department of defence, is also accused of favouring suppliers who agreed to his personal terms when awarding government contracts.

A whistleblower in the department of defence made the claims of corruption during a parliamentary inquiry into the system for procuring police cars.

After a report appeared in De Telegraaf, the department confirmed it had passed details on to the state prosecutor (Openbare Ministerie/OM).

The Schouten commission was set up by justice minister Ivo Opstelten in response to concerns about the system used to buy and equip about 13,000 police vehicles, at a public cost of €500 million.

Source: De Telegraaf: 'Ernstige corruptie bij Defensie'

Photo by victor78nl