The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has imposed a penalty in the form of a fine of 775,000 euros on an Arnhem-based employment agency in healthcare for forgery. The agency had dozens of false diplomas, extracts from the diploma register, and Certificates of Good Conduct available, with which unqualified temporary workers worked at healthcare institutions from September 2019 to July 2020.
Multiple Signals
In 2020, the Health and Youth Inspectorate (IGJ) initiated a criminal investigation led by the Functional Prosecutors Office of the Public Prosecution Service into the employment agency after receiving multiple signals that unauthorized temporary workers were being employed by the agency at various healthcare institutions. During a search at the agency, several false documents were found, including forged healthcare diplomas. The investigation has led to multiple criminal cases against several individuals involved. Temporary workers who have been shown to have worked in healthcare using a false document are being prosecuted or will be prosecuted.
Penalty
The employment agency receives a penalty in the form of a fine totaling 775,000 euros imposed by the OM. This amount consists of a recoverable amount of 641,000 euros that the agency would have unlawfully obtained through its practices, and a monetary fine of 134,000 euros. The OM believes that this is an appropriate punishment, as no other penalty can be imposed on a legal entity than a monetary fine by the judge. The role of the involved natural persons is still under investigation.