Second police raid over housing office fraud

27 September 2005

BRUSSELS – Police have raided the offices of the Caroloregienne social housing project for the second time in the course of their fraud inquiry.

The anti-fraud branch entered the offices as part of an ongoing investigation into accusations of mismanagement and financial abuse.

Three local Socialist councillors have already resigned from the management board over the matter and two, Andre Liesse and Claude Despiegeleer, have also given up their positions on the local council.

Serge van Bergen, the third councillor, who has refused to resign from his political functions, said he received death threats and a package with suspicious powder contents at the weekend.

Van Bergen said the package was addressed to him via the town hall and when he opened it powder exploded in his face.

The powder burnt his face, eyes, sinusses and ears, he said. A threatening message contained in the package said the substance was “efficient against rats and vermin.”

Van Bergen said he was examined by a doctor and that he has reported the incident to the police.

The powder is currently being examined in a laboratory.

Subject: Belgian news