Boxtel D66 municipal council member Sohib H. resigned from his seat following his late October arrest on suspicion of electoral fraud and corruption.
Faction leader Wiebe de Leijer announced the resignation during a municipal council meeting on Tuesday evening, stating that the local party respects the decision.
Police arrest council member amid fraud and corruption suspicions
Police arrested the 38-year-old council member on October 27, according to reports from NOS. Authorities suspect him of electoral fraud, corruption, breach of computer security, violation of official secrets, forgery, and leaking confidential information.
Automotive Online reported that the suspect was previously arrested in May during raids on a Boxtel car dealership registered to his father and at residential properties. Investigators seized thirteen exclusive vehicles, including models from Audi, Lamborghini, Mercedes, and Ferrari, with a combined value of several hundred thousand euros. Prosecutors suspect these luxury cars were acquired using funds from criminal networks and registered under straw men to hide the real owners.
In addition to the vehicles, police confiscated phones, computers, financial records, cash, and a prohibited weapon, according to Automotive Online. He faces additional suspicions of forgery and tax fraud in connection with that earlier money-laundering inquiry.
Outside of his elected municipal role, H. worked as a staff member at the Central Fine Collection Agency of the Public Prosecution Service, known as the CVOM, where he was training to become a public prosecutor. The Public Prosecution Service placed him on non-active status earlier this year due to the ongoing money-laundering investigation.
Did You Know? H. entered the Boxtel municipal council in 2018 through preferential votes and secured even more votes than the D66 list leader during the 2020 elections, earning him the description of a vote-getter from the regional press.
Political Impact in Boxtel
The departure marks the end of a political career that began when H. secured a seat in 2018 through preferential votes. During the recent municipal elections, he stood in second place on the candidate list as D66 expanded its representation from two to three seats.
Following the October arrest, D66 suspended him for three months, stating that the party was shocked by the allegations. During Tuesday’s council meeting, his seat remained empty. Mayor Ronald van Meygaarden initially told the assembly that H. was absent, before giving the floor to De Leijer.
The chair next to me will remain empty tonight,
De Leijer said during the meeting, as reported by NOS. Yesterday you were informed that my faction member has submitted his resignation to the chairman of the municipal council. We naturally respect that decision.
Replacement Council Member on December 15
D66 intends to install a replacement council member during the next municipal council meeting, which is scheduled for December 15.
Questions about Sohib H. resignation and allegations
When did Sohib H. resign from the Boxtel municipal council?
He submitted his resignation prior to the Tuesday evening council meeting, and faction leader Wiebe de Leijer formally announced it to the council on November 10.
What specific allegations led to his suspension and resignation?
Authorities suspect him of electoral fraud, corruption, forgery, breach of computer security, violation of official secrets, and sharing confidential information, alongside a separate ongoing investigation into money laundering.
When will D66 fill the vacant council seat?
The local D66 faction aims to install a replacement candidate during the next scheduled municipal council meeting on December 15.
Related reading