WILLEMSTAD - The Court of Appeal in Curaçao has sentenced former notary Johnny Kleinmoedig to a suspended prison term of six months, replacing the previously imposed unconditional sentence of 18 months. Additionally, Kleinmoedig is banned from practicing as a notary for five years. In its ruling, the court took into account the public attention and negative comments Kleinmoedig has faced in the community.
Kleinmoedig was previously convicted of embezzling 1.4 million guilders, money intended for his clients. He used the funds to purchase land in Bottelier, finance construction on the property, and acquire a car and a Steinway & Sons piano. In September 2021, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was immediately taken into custody.
At that time, Kleinmoedig voluntarily turned himself in at the Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Korsou prison, where he was held for two weeks. The court later determined that there was no flight risk, allowing Kleinmoedig to be released while awaiting his appeal.
The new sentence of a six-month suspended prison term means Kleinmoedig will not have to return to jail as long as he complies with the conditions set by the court. The court acknowledged that Kleinmoedig, as a public figure, has already endured significant negative publicity due to the case.
Asset Forfeiture Case
In addition to the criminal case, Kleinmoedig faced an asset forfeiture proceeding. The court has ruled that the former notary must repay 580,800 guilders to the government of Curaçao, reflecting the unlawful gains from the embezzlement. In determining the repayment amount, the court considered Kleinmoedig’s financial situation, as established during the hearing.