Timo Huges, former CEO of Dutch rail company NS, was acquitted of fraud in the tender process for public transport in Limburg by the court in Den Bosch on Thursday. Five other suspects of fraud in this case were also acquitted, NU.nl reports.
The Public Prosecutor demanded a year in prison against Huges. He was accused of bribery, forgery and leaking confidential information. Huges always maintained that he was innocent, did not know about any fraud and did not interfere with the tender.
Dutch railway company NS paid a total of over half a million euros in severance pay to two senior executives last year, according to the company's annual report published on Tuesday. The report states that NS paid "two managers in key positions" a total of 566,956 euros in severance pay, RTL Nieuws reports.
All that is known about these two executives is that they were not on the board of directors, according to the broadcaster. Exactly who they are, what functions they filled, why they left NS and how the money was divided between them is unclear.
Former NS CEO Timo Huges wants Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem of Finance to testify in the criminal case surrounding irregularities in the procurement of public transport in Limburg. According to Huges' lawyer Daan Doorenbos, Dijsselbloem has to explain "criminalizing statements" he made about the former CEO, the lawyer said in the court in Den Bosch on Tuesday, NU.nl reports.
Former NS CEO Timo Huges will receive a settlement of 175 thousand euros from his former employer. This amount consists of 6 months' salary, in accordance with his notice period. He will not be receiving any severance pay or bonuses
NS CEO Timo Huges has been accused of abusing his power in Limburg. The Telegraaf writes that Huges forwarded an email he received from transport company Veolia to NS sbsidiary Qbuzz, while this is strictly prohibited.
Clients of NS monthly subscription services who forget their personal travel card at home, and are forced to buy a ticket will no longer be refunded that money, De Telegraaf reports.
The NS is hesitant about introducing the new high-speed trains, or 'flitstreinen' before 2021. In a letter to State Secretary Wilma Mansveld of Infrastructure, Timo Huges, NS-chief, writes that the new intercity trains will not be able to travel faster than 200 kilometers per hour.
The new president of Dutch Railways (NS), Timo Huges, has said that he wants there to be more trains, that they should have a better reputation and make more profit. Trains should also be less congested, a spokesperson for the NS announces after a report about this in the Telegraaf.
