Former Helmond alderman arrested on corruption charges

A former alderman from Helmon was arrested on Monday morning on charges of official corruption, forgery, fraud and embezzlement, the Public Prosecutor announced. The investigation into the 58 year old man was launched after his former political party filed charges of fraud against him. The investigation is being led by the Public Prosecutor in Oost-Brabant. According to the Prosecutor, money that was for the political party - Sociaal Democraten Ondernemend Helmond - was used to pay for the former alderman’s private expenses. The man also received a redundancy payment as former alderman, despite the fact that he actually had paid work. The 58-year-old former alderman remains behind bars and has only been allowed contact with his lawyer.