Mike de Meza to challenge prosecution charges in fiscal case

ORANJESTAD – The legal team of parliamentarian Mike de Meza is preparing to challenge the formal charging document in the fiscal case pending against him. According to his attorney, mr. Desiree Croes, the defense has not yet received the formal document outlining the exact charges the Public Prosecutor’s Office intends to bring against De Meza.

The case continues after parliamentarian Mike de Meza rejected a settlement proposal from the Public Prosecutor’s Office. In an earlier response, his defense stated that the proposal was not based on correct factual and legal grounds. They also argued that although there had been issues involving late tax filings, the declarations were eventually submitted, processed and accepted by the Tax Department.

“The legal team of parliamentarian Mike de Meza is ready to challenge the formal charging document because we do not agree with the way this process has unfolded,” Croes told NoticiaCla. “In our view, there simply is no case.”

According to Croes, all of De Meza’s tax matters are in order. “Even the Tax Inspector admitted this in court when the judge asked,” the attorney said.

The formal charging document is the official legal document that sets out exactly what charges the Public Prosecutor’s Office is bringing against parliamentarian Mike de Meza. Croes explained that the defense requested the document on the same day the settlement proposal was rejected, but has still not received it.

Meanwhile, the case has been scheduled for August 24. Croes said the defense has no objection to the date itself. If they must appear that day, they will do so to demonstrate that, in their view, there is no basis for the case against their client.

The case involving parliamentarian Mike de Meza has attracted public attention since last year, when questions arose about his fiscal situation and political screening process. More recently, the Public Prosecutor’s Office offered a settlement, but De Meza and his defense rejected it.

Until a final ruling is issued by the court, parliamentarian Mike de Meza remains presumed innocent.