The civil lawsuit over the infamous face mask deal started on Monday. Sywert van Lienden made a lot of money from it, even though he claimed he did it “for nothing”. The case raises many questions among readers. Economics editor Tom van Gurp answers the best and most frequently asked questions.
Waarom hoor ik alleen commotie over Van Lienden en niet over zijn partners, Bernd Damme en Camille van Gestel?
“Sywert van Lienden is inderdaad degene die de meeste aandacht krijgt. Dat komt doordat hij van de drie ondernemers de bekendste is door zijn mediaoptredens. Ook heeft hij van de drie de grootste winst gemaakt. Daardoor krijgt hij de meeste kritiek.”
“Overigens merken ook de andere twee in hun dagelijks leven veel van hun ‘pariastatus’. Zo zei de advocaat van Damme tijdens de rechtszaak maandag dat zijn cliënt wordt bespuugd en uitgescholden als hij buitenkomt.”
“Voor de Staat en de Stichting Hulptroepen Alliantie is er weinig onderscheid. Dat is de stichting die Van Lienden en zijn twee zakenpartners in 2020 hebben opgericht, maar waar zij inmiddels uit zijn gegooid. De Staat en de stichting hebben de drie gezamenlijk voor de rechter gesleept. Ook het Openbaar Ministerie (OM) doet onderzoek naar alle drie. Juridisch wordt er dus weinig verschil gemaakt.”
Worden de betrokken bewindslieden van het ministerie van Volksgezondheid vervolgd? Lopen zij ook risico?
“Tegen de bewindspersonen die zijn betrokken bij de mondkapjesdeal loopt momenteel geen strafrechtelijk onderzoek. Het OM heeft zijn pijlen gericht op Van Lienden en zijn twee zakenpartners. Vooralsnog zijn er geen aanwijzingen dat ministers of staatssecretarissen een onderzoek tegemoet kunnen zien. Dat geldt ook voor de betrokken ambtenaren.”
What shows that, according to the Public Prosecution Service, fraud, money laundering and embezzlement took place?
“The Public Prosecution Service is still conducting the investigation. It is therefore not yet clear in detail what the suspicions are based on. But the Public Prosecution Service does point out the contradiction between Van Lienden’s ‘free of charge’ statements and the fact that he actually made a profit.”
“Another accusation is that a number of healthcare institutions ordered protective equipment from Van Lienden’s foundation, but he sent invoices for this from his BV. The proceeds from the BV were then passed on to the personal holding companies of Van Lienden and his associates.”
What punishment can Van Lienden receive?
“Monday’s hearing was a civil case and not a criminal case. This means that the judge cannot impose a prison sentence or fine. However, Van Lienden and his associates may have to hand over their millions, for example if they decide to reach a settlement about this. “
“In addition, the Public Prosecution Service is investigating the deal. Whether this will lead to a criminal case is not yet known. Van Lienden is in any case suspected of fraud and deception and possibly also embezzlement. In theory you can get a prison sentence of years for this, but that means not that the Public Prosecution Service will also demand this in a possible criminal case.”
What is true about Van Lienden’s claim that he lives on only 15 euros a week and is not entitled to legal assistance?
“It is difficult to determine whether he actually has to survive on 15 euros a week. We have no insight into the household accounts of him and his partner. But it is true that all Van Lienden’s assets have been seized. Then it goes not only because of the millions he earned from the deal, but also because of other assets, such as savings or his house.
“He now appears to be receiving legal assistance. A few days ago, a lawyer, Jaap-Willem Roozemond, contacted Van Lienden to assist him free of charge. On Tuesday, summary proceedings were filed with the court to request the seizure of Van Lienden’s assets. “The judge has not yet made a ruling on this.”
Is there a chance that Van Lienden and his associates will still receive the money due to a court ruling?
“In principle, Van Lienden already has the money in his possession, but it has now been seized. In order to actually have access to the money, they have to overcome a few serious hurdles. First, he has to file the civil lawsuit against the State and the foundation. In addition, there is still an investigation by the Public Prosecution Service. That should also end in favor of Van Lienden and his business partners.
“Van Lienden has already indicated that he is prepared to part with his millions, if this ensures that he can move on with his life and that no other legal procedures will follow. He is considering a settlement with the State, the board and the employees of the foundation. He should also reach an agreement with the Public Prosecution Service.”
“That will be difficult. For example, the foundation’s employees are not eager to settle with Van Lienden. The foundation’s board has also indicated that it only wants to conclude an agreement if Van Lienden’s two business partners also participate. One of them, Van Gestel seems to be only marginally prepared to do so.”
Krijg meldingen bij nieuwe berichten Stay informed with notifications
Why wasn’t Van Lienden allowed to make money from this?
“In theory, that would have been fine. Others have also made money from such deals with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. But the problem with Van Lienden is that he always said he would supply the face masks ‘free of charge’. In other words: he would not gain anything from it himself. He is therefore mainly blamed for the fact that he never said he would make a profit in his many media appearances and also in his conversations with the ministry.”
“Van Lienden is not aware of any harm. He says that the ‘free’ statements did not relate to the face mask deal, but to other activities of the foundation. He also states that it was completely clear to the State that those matters did with a commercial company and that they would make a profit.”
