WILLEMSTAD - The Court of Appeals in Curaçao has sentenced former notary Johnny Kleinmoedig to a six-month suspended prison sentence and ordered him to repay 283,140 guilders. This ruling follows a request from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to confiscate 1.4 million guilders. Kleinmoedig had previously appealed an earlier ruling, arguing that the amounts cited were incorrect.
The Court determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the full embezzlement claim made by the Public Prosecutor. Based on a report from the Tax Accountants Office, it was concluded that 19.5% of the 1.4 million guilders had been embezzled, amounting to 283,140 guilders, which Kleinmoedig is now required to repay.
The embezzled funds, which were intended for clients, were used by Kleinmoedig for various personal expenses, including purchasing land in Bottelier, construction on the property, and buying a Steinway & Sons piano and a car. In September 2021, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was immediately taken into custody.
Kleinmoedig voluntarily surrendered to the Sentro di Detenshon i Korekshon Korsou prison, where he was held for two weeks. The court later determined there was no risk of flight, and he was released pending his appeal.
The new ruling, which includes a six-month suspended prison sentence, means Kleinmoedig will avoid further imprisonment as long as he adheres to the conditions set by the court. The court also considered the significant negative publicity Kleinmoedig has faced due to the case, given his high profile in the community.
Additionally, Kleinmoedig has been prohibited from practicing as a notary for five years. The court took into account the public attention and criticism Kleinmoedig has endured throughout this legal process when determining the sentence.