De Meza files complaint against Tax Department director over alleged false accusations

ORANJESTAD — AVP Member of Parliament Mike de Meza has filed a complaint against the director of Aruba's Tax Department over allegedly false accusations made against him. Attorney Desiree Croes told Noticiacla that the matter could involve false allegations, defamation and potentially the involvement of additional individuals. When Noticiacla approached Tax Department director Gomez Pieters for a response, she stated that she had consciously chosen not to comment and that she has confidence in the judicial process.

According to Croes, the director allegedly provided information that did not correspond with the facts, despite earlier information that, in the attorney's assessment, could have demonstrated that the accusations against De Meza were incorrect.

Croes explained that knowingly making false accusations against someone can constitute a criminal offense. She specifically referred to false reporting and defamation, arguing that the allegations warrant a criminal investigation.

The attorney confirmed that a complaint has been filed against the Tax Department director and that authorities have been asked to investigate whether additional individuals may have participated in the alleged false accusations.

A particularly serious element of Croes's statement concerns the possibility that the alleged conduct was not limited to one individual.

According to the attorney, the involvement of a coordinated group cannot be ruled out. Croes went as far as raising the possibility of a criminal organization, meaning an organized group cooperating to commit criminal offenses.

She believes investigators should determine whether the accusations against De Meza resulted from individual actions or whether other individuals may have participated in providing or spreading allegedly incorrect information.

Croes's statements place the Tax Department director's alleged conduct under legal scrutiny, particularly regarding the origin of the accusations against De Meza and whether those responsible knew the information was incorrect.

However, the allegations presented by Croes remain unproven. No criminal wrongdoing by the Tax Department director or any other individual has been established. It is up to the Public Prosecutor's Office to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to pursue criminal charges.