Paul Croes
Paul Croes | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor | |
| In office 30 October 2013 – 17 November 2017 | |
| Prime Minister | Mike Eman |
| Succeeded by | Glenbert Croes |
| President of the Estates of Aruba | |
| In office 21 June 2010 – 30 October 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Andy Lee |
| Succeeded by | Marisol Lopez-Tromp |
| Member of the Estates of Aruba | |
| In office 29 October 2009 – 30 October 2013 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 November 1976 Aruba, Netherlands Antilles |
| Political party | Aruban People's Party |
Pauldrick François Teodoric "Paul" Croes (born 7 November 1976) is an Aruban politician, who served as the Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor in the second Eman Cabinet from 2013 to 2017. As a member of the Aruban People's Party, he was a member of the Estates of Aruba between 2009 and 2013 and served as its President from 2010 onwards.
Career
Croes was born in Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, on 7 November 1976.[1] Following his primary education he attended the voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs. He then moved to the Netherlands and studied political science at the University of Amsterdam, where he obtained a degree in 2002. During his studies he specialized in international politics and international economics. Croes subsequently returned to Aruba and entered state service in the international relations department.[1]
Political career
Croes became politically active for the Aruban People's Party and in the 2009 general election he obtained a seat in the Estates of Aruba with 1578 votes.[1] He officially became a member on 30 October and shortly afterwards became Vice President of the Estates.[2] He served as President of the Estates between 21 June 2010 and October 2013. Croes became the youngest President of the Estates in the parliament's history.[3] Croes maintained his seat in the 2013 general election.[1][2]
Minister
Croes joined the second cabinet of Prime Minister Mike Eman as Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor on 30 October 2013.[4] Croes stated he wished to focus on child abuse, domestic violence, poverty and an increase in job productivity.[5]
Corruption allegations
In January 2015 a journalist from newspaper Solo di Pueblo made allegations against Croes regarding corruption. Croes denied the allegations and demanded and received a rectification in the newspaper.[6] Dutch newspaper de Telegraaf also reported on the case in October 2015. The Aruban cabinet subsequently denied the allegations.[7] On 28 March 2017 it became known that Croes was a suspect in a corruption investigation regarding work permits. His house and several others were searched by local authorities, An illegal domestic worker was found at the premises.[8][9] On 31 March 2017 Croes temporarily laid down his ministerial position. Minister of Finance Angel Bermudez became caretaker for his portfolio.[10]
On 21 August 2017 Croes was arrested on suspicion of corruption.[11] Two days after his arrest Prime Minister Eman commented that Croes would keep his position as Minister.[12] He was released on 14 November 2017 awaiting a probable court date in April 2018.[13] His term in office ended when the government of Evelyn Wever-Croes was sworn in on 17 November 2017, he was succeeded by Glenbert Croes.[14]
Conviction
On 22 February 2019 Croes was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.[15] consequentially he was barred from participating in local elections and becoming a civil servant for 9 years.[16] Croes announced his intention to appeal the decision.[15]
References
- ^ a b c d "Paul Croes" (in Papiamento). Aruban People's Party. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Paul Croes ta e Presidente di Parlamento mas hoben den historia" (in Papiamento). 24ora. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Oud-voorzitters" (in Dutch). States of Aruba. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Kabinet Mike Eman II beëdigd" (in Dutch). Government of Aruba. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016.
- ^ Ariën Rasmijn (8 November 2013). "Het nieuwe kabinet: Paul Croes" (in Dutch). Caribisch Netwerk. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018.
- ^ "Rechtszaak Paul Croes na rectificatie Jan de Ruijter ingetrokken" (in Dutch). Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal. 4 March 2015. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Een jaar geleden ontkende Paul Croes nog alle aantijgingen" (in Dutch). NoticiaCla. 28 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017.
- ^ Ariën Rasmijn (28 March 2017). "Arubaanse minister verdacht van aannemen steekpenningen" (in Dutch). Caribisch Netwerk. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017.
- ^ "Aruban Minister A Corruption Suspect". Curaçao Chronicle. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
- ^ "Minister Paul Croes legt werk voorlopig neer" (in Dutch). NoticiaCla. 31 March 2017. Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
- ^ Ariën Rasmijn (21 August 2017). "Minister Paul Croes gearresteerd" (in Dutch). Caribisch Netwerk NTR. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017.
- ^ Ariën Rasmijn (23 August 2017). "Eman: "Paul Croes blijft minister"" (in Dutch). Caribisch Netwerk NTR. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017.
- ^ "Voorarrest minister Croes op Aruba geschorst" (in Dutch). Caribisch Netwerk NTR. 14 November 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017.
- ^ "Aruba has a new cabinet". The Daily Herald. 17 November 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Sharina Henriquez (22 February 2019). "Ex-minister moet 4 jaar cel in voor corruptie: "Wat ik heb gedaan, doen alle politici op Aruba"" (in Dutch). Caribisch Netwerk NTR. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Aruba: 4 jaar cel voor Paul Croes". Knipselkrant Curacao. 22 February 2019. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019.