Hasselt – The trial of former De Voorzorg director Tony Coonen has been delayed for the second time due to staff shortages at a Limburg court. Prosecutors are seeking a four-year prison sentence, an €8,000 fine, and a 10-year driving ban related to corruption involving a project in Hasselt, reports 24brussels.
The Limburg court has disclosed that the verdict in Tony Coonen’s case could not proceed as scheduled because of a critical shortage of judges. This is the second postponement in the trial, as confirmed by court officials.
According to court spokesperson Luc Decleir, a recent workload review has shown that judges in the district are currently overburdened, working significant unpaid overtime, which has reached an unsustainable level.
What led to Tony Coonen’s Hasselt corruption trial and delays?
On May 26, 2021, Tony Coonen, along with several officials, was arrested as part of a significant corruption and money laundering investigation. He spent two months in custody before being released on parole in July 2021.
The Federal Judicial Police (FGP) of Limburg continued to investigate, discovering that Coonen abused his leadership role at the health insurance fund from 2015 to 2020. Investigators estimate that he illicitly gained around €4.3 million through irregular contracts, favoritism, and the abuse of company resources.
A real estate developer was granted approval to construct a new De Voorzorg office in Hasselt for over €16 million in return for various benefits. Additionally, Coonen charged lavish dinners with expensive wines to De Voorzorg, amounting to more than €23,000.
His partner was permitted to bill the organization €1,000 per hour, and reimbursements were made to his in-laws for fuel expenses. These findings, documented by investigators, highlight a systematic abuse of power and financial misconduct during his tenure at De Voorzorg.
