Curaçao’s Financial Supervision Board (Cft) has withdrawn a line in its recent report alluding to the existence of a criminal investigation into the island’s gambling regulator.
The Cft adjusted the letter on Wednesday (3 December) to remove the passage, which had previously said there was a criminal investigation ongoing into the Curaçao Gaming Authority.
The letter previously included a line stating: “Cft understands that the Public Prosecution Service is conducting an investigation into the CGA. The CGA is responsible for implementing the LOK. The Cft is closely monitoring developments and will discuss these matters with the relevant officials.”
The Cft’s decision to withdraw the text follows criticism by the CGA and wider government about the decision to include the reference to the investigation.
Finance minister Charles Cooper had questioned the source of the information, arguing that if it came from the RST – the police unit local media reported were in charge of the investigation – or the Public Prosecution Service, it should have officially confirmed the matter.
He added that criminal investigations do not fall within the Cft’s mandate, and that it should only refer to probes after consultation with the government.
In a letter to Cooper obtained by NEXT.io, Cft chair Dr. L.M.C. Ongering said: “The Cft thanks you for this clarity. Upon further reflection, we agree with you that it would have been better if the Cft had referred in its public letters only to investigations confirmed by official channels. We will ensure that this remains the case in the future.
However, the Cft also argued matters of integrity do fall within its supervisory framework, especially when they affect public finances and the quality of financial management.
Cedric Pietersz, CGA managing director, said: “The removal of these assertions in their entirety confirms what has been clear from the outset: the claims had no foundation in fact and should never have been issued in an official context.
“We welcome the Cft’s decision to correct the record, ensuring that the public narrative is based on verified information rather than speculation. This step is essential for maintaining trust in both regulatory oversight and the institutions responsible for it.”
