Undercover agent netted susp. corrupt politician

The criminal investigation department deployed an undercover agent in the corruption investigation into the link between the Roermond former alderman Jos van Rey and his project developer friend Piet van P. The man, who had "Visser" on his business card, acted as a mediator for foreign banks in the financing of construction projects. "Visser" approached Van P. at the end of 2012 at a real estate fair in Munich. The undercover agent then made an appointment to see Van P. at his office in Roermond at the beginning of 2013. They talked about, among other things, Jazz City, a project to revitalize the dilapidated port are. When "Visser" inquired whether it is not difficult to realize large projects in times of crisis, Van P replied: "It's good that i have such good fiends." Van P. denies that he was talking about Van Rey in his remark about "good friends". He said that he was referring to Dik Wessels, the big man of the construction group VolkerWessels, with whom he worked in many projects. On Wednesday the Public Prosecutor confirmed the under cover operation, but would make no further comment. Justice sued both Van Rey and Van P. for corruption. The developer allegedly bribed the alderman for preferential treatment in construction projects in the city. Both defendants deny the accusation. They will appear in court in January.