{{Short description|Aruban politician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Paul Croes | image = | alt = | caption = | office1 = Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor | prime_minister1 = Mike Eman | term_start1 = 30 October 2013 | term_end1 = 17 November 2017 | predecessor1 = | successor1 = Glenbert Croes | office2 = Speaker of Parliament | term_start2 = 21 June 2010 | term_end2 = 30 October 2013 | predecessor2 = Andy Lee | successor2 = Marisol Lopez-Tromp | office3 = Member of Parliament | term_start3 = 29 October 2009 | term_end3 = 30 October 2013 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|11|07|df=y}} | birth_place = Aruba, Netherlands Antilles | death_date = | death_place = | party = Aruban People's Party | alma_mater = }} '''Pauldrick François Teodoric''' '''"Paul"''' '''Croes''' (born 7 November 1976) is a former Aruban politician who served as the Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor in the Second Eman Cabinet from 2013 to 2017. As a member of the Aruban People's Party, he was a member of the Parliament of Aruba between 2009 and 2013.
==Career== Croes was born in Aruba, Netherlands Antilles, on 7 November 1976.<ref name=avp>{{cite web|author= |url=http://avparuba.com/candidato-descripcion.php?id=NQ== |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401111237/http://avparuba.com/candidato-descripcion.php?id=NQ== |title=Paul Croes |language=Papiamento |publisher=Aruban People's Party |date= |archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> Following his primary education he attended the voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs. He then moved to the Netherlands and studied political science at the University of Amsterdam, where he obtained a degree in 2002. During his studies he specialized in international politics and international economics. Croes subsequently returned to Aruba and entered state service in the international relations department.<ref name=avp/>
==Political career== Croes became politically active for the Aruban People's Party and in the 2009 general election he obtained a seat in the Parliament of Aruba with 1578 votes.<ref name=avp/> after being sworn in he was elected as Deputy Speaker.<ref name=24ora>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.24ora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18900:paul-croes-ta-e-presidente-di-parlamento-mas-hoben-den-historia&catid=12:politica&Itemid=18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401114851/http://www.24ora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18900:paul-croes-ta-e-presidente-di-parlamento-mas-hoben-den-historia&catid=12:politica&Itemid=18 |title=Paul Croes ta e Presidente di Parlamento mas hoben den historia |language=Papiamento |publisher=24ora |date=21 June 2010 |archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> He served as President of the Estates on 21 June 2010 and October 2013. Croes became the Parliament's youngest Speaker in history.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.parlamento.aw/internet/oud-voorzitters_3134/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401233041/https://www.parlamento.aw/internet/oud-voorzitters_3134/ |title=Oud-voorzitters |language=Dutch |publisher=States of Aruba |date= |archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> Croes maintained his seat in the 2013 general election.<ref name=avp/><ref name=24ora/>
==Minister== Croes joined the second cabinet of Prime Minister Mike Eman as Minister of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor on 30 October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.overheid.aw/actueel/nieuws_235/item/kabinet-mike-eman-ii-beedigd_5843.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109085628/http://www.overheid.aw/actueel/nieuws_235/item/kabinet-mike-eman-ii-beedigd_5843.html |title=Kabinet Mike Eman II beëdigd |language=Dutch |publisher=Government of Aruba |date= |archive-date=9 November 2016}}</ref> Croes stated he wished to focus on child abuse, domestic violence, poverty and an increase in job productivity.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ariën Rasmijn |url=http://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2013/11/08/het-nieuwe-kabinet-paul-croes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912091931/https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2013/11/08/het-nieuwe-kabinet-paul-croes/ |title=Het nieuwe kabinet: Paul Croes |language=Dutch |publisher=Caribisch Netwerk |date=8 November 2013 |archive-date=12 September 2018}}</ref>
==Legal affairs== In January 2015 a journalist from newspaper ''Solo di Pueblo'' made allegations against Croes regarding corruption. Croes denied the allegations and demanded and received a rectification in the newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.dutchcaribbeanlegalportal.com/news/latest-news/4873-rechtszaak-paul-croes-na-rectificatie-jan-de-ruijter-ingetrokken |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232706/http://www.dutchcaribbeanlegalportal.com/news/latest-news/4873-rechtszaak-paul-croes-na-rectificatie-jan-de-ruijter-ingetrokken |title=Rechtszaak Paul Croes na rectificatie Jan de Ruijter ingetrokken |language=Dutch |publisher=Dutch Caribbean Legal Portal |date=4 March 2015 |archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> Dutch newspaper ''de Telegraaf'' also reported on the case in October 2015. The Aruban cabinet subsequently denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.noticiacla.com/news/9177 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225034843/https://www.noticiacla.com/news/9177 |title=Een jaar geleden ontkende Paul Croes nog alle aantijgingen |language=Dutch |publisher=NoticiaCla |date=28 March 2017 |archive-date=25 December 2017}}</ref> On 28 March 2017 it became known that Croes was a suspect in a corruption investigation regarding work permits. His house and several others were searched by local authorities, An illegal domestic worker was found at the premises.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ariën Rasmijn |url=http://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/03/28/arubaanse-minister-verdacht-van-aannemen-steekpenningen/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402081530/https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/03/28/arubaanse-minister-verdacht-van-aannemen-steekpenningen/ |title=Arubaanse minister verdacht van aannemen steekpenningen |language=Dutch |publisher=Caribisch Netwerk |date=28 March 2017 |archive-date=2 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://curacaochronicle.com/politics/aruban-minister-a-corruption-suspect/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401233227/http://curacaochronicle.com/politics/aruban-minister-a-corruption-suspect/ |title=Aruban Minister A Corruption Suspect |publisher=Curaçao Chronicle |date=29 March 2017 |archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref> On 31 March 2017 Croes temporarily laid down his ministerial position. Minister of Finance Angel Bermudez became caretaker for his portfolio.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.noticiacla.com/news/9208 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401232825/https://www.noticiacla.com/news/9208 |title=Minister Paul Croes legt werk voorlopig neer |language=Dutch |publisher=NoticiaCla |date=31 March 2017 |archive-date=1 April 2017}}</ref>
On 21 August 2017 Croes was arrested on suspicion of corruption.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ariën Rasmijn |url=https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/08/21/minister-paul-croes-gearresteerd/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008185416/https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/08/21/minister-paul-croes-gearresteerd/ |title=Minister Paul Croes gearresteerd |language=Dutch |publisher=Caribisch Netwerk NTR |date=21 August 2017 |archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> Two days after his arrest Prime Minister Eman commented that Croes would keep his position as Minister.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ariën Rasmijn |url=http://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/08/23/eman-paul-croes-blijft-minister/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008185203/http://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/08/23/eman-paul-croes-blijft-minister/ |title=Eman: "Paul Croes blijft minister" |language=Dutch |publisher=Caribisch Netwerk NTR |date=23 August 2017 |archive-date=8 October 2017}}</ref> He was released on 14 November 2017 awaiting a probable court date in April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/11/14/voorarrest-minister-croes-op-aruba-geschorst/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224142818/https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2017/11/14/voorarrest-minister-croes-op-aruba-geschorst/ |title=Voorarrest minister Croes op Aruba geschorst |language=Dutch |publisher=Caribisch Netwerk NTR |date=14 November 2017 |archive-date=24 December 2017}}</ref> His term in office ended when the government of Evelyn Wever-Croes was sworn in on 17 November 2017, he was succeeded by Glenbert Croes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Aruba has a new cabinet|url=https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/71064-aruba-has-a-new-cabinet|website=The Daily Herald|date=17 November 2017|accessdate=22 November 2017}}{{Dead link|date=May 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
==Conviction== On 22 February 2019 Croes was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 4 years imprisonment.<ref name=CNNTR>{{cite web|author=Sharina Henriquez |url=https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2019/02/22/ex-minister-moet-4-jaar-cel-in-voor-corruptie-wat-ik-heb-gedaan-doen-alle-politici-op-aruba/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222215416/https://caribischnetwerk.ntr.nl/2019/02/22/ex-minister-moet-4-jaar-cel-in-voor-corruptie-wat-ik-heb-gedaan-doen-alle-politici-op-aruba/ |title=Ex-minister moet 4 jaar cel in voor corruptie: "Wat ik heb gedaan, doen alle politici op Aruba" |language=Dutch |publisher=Caribisch Netwerk NTR |date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> consequentially he was barred from participating in politics and becoming a civil servant for 9 years.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.knipselkrant-curacao.com/curacaonieuws-aruba-4-jaar-cel-voor-paul-croes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222215849/https://www.knipselkrant-curacao.com/curacaonieuws-aruba-4-jaar-cel-voor-paul-croes/ |title=Aruba: 4 jaar cel voor Paul Croes |publisher=Knipselkrant Curacao |date=22 February 2019 |archive-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> Croes announced his intention to appeal the decision.<ref name=CNNTR/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.gobierno.aw/governance-administration/ministry-of-social-affairs-youth-and-labor_43062/ Ministry of Social Affairs, Youth and Labor website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Croes, Paul}} Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:Aruban People's Party politicians Category:Government ministers of Aruba Category:Members of the Estates of Aruba Category:Presidents of the Estates of Aruba Category:University of Amsterdam alumni