CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE PUBLIC PROSECUTION SERVICE REGARDING CRIMINAL CONDUCT BY ATTORNEY MERIJN VAN LEEUWEN

No lie can live forever

A truth once proclaimed by Martin Luther King.

Truth outlasts deception. This quote was carefully selected by attorney Merijn van Leeuwen for the criminal complaint regarding the Data Vault, expressed in art on the facade of the Public Prosecution Service in Arnhem.

The artwork "No Lie Can Live Forever" by Sam Durant is a lightbox installation on the facade of the Public Prosecution Service in Arnhem, inspired by American protest slogans and intended to encourage visitors to reflect on truth and the justice system.

Description of the work

"No Lie Can Live Forever" consists of a large, yellow lightbox with black lettering on the exterior facade of the Public Prosecution Service building in Arnhem. The work is by the American artist Sam Durant, who is known for using lightboxes and texts with historical, social, and political contexts. The chosen phrase originates from slogans used by American civil rights activists in the 1960s, and the text is also attributed to a statement by Martin Luther King.

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In addition to the lightbox on the facade, there are two other lightboxes inside the building with texts such as ‘Justice’ and ‘Tell It Like It Is!’, which together support the themes of law and truth-finding, encouraging the public to reflect on the role of justice and power.

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'IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE TAINTED'

Members of the CAF team wrote: 'It feels like we're tainted'.

'There was an attempt to limit the entire Benefits scandal to the so-called CAF cases.

'People know this isn't the problem, and that it's much broader'.

'We receive recognition in conversations, but not officially.'

'We have spoken with many leaders, both old and new, but this has not been confirmed in any weekly report'.

'We have received no acknowledgment from the employer that this process was handled incorrectly'.

'The teletext page states that GGD tips result in a selection'.

Many members of the CAF team have exited the stage with a generous settlement agreement.

Can the answers to what they consider a 'broader problem' be found in the Data Vault?

This crucial information exposes that this is not just happening at the Benefits department. That SMEs play the leading role. That benefits are merely an instrument. A tool.

Entrepreneurs were investigated by CAF teams, in pre-CAF cases, and in earlier fraud investigations. Their businesses were ruined because they were suspected of (systemic) fraud. Without evidence and disproportionately.

Strategic framing is misleading

During the parliamentary inquiries, there was a strategic attempt to create the impression that there was only one affected institution.

The selection of childcare institutions was based on origin using a population management tool

Selections were made based on origin. Tax service providers, rental intermediaries, and entire sectors were deemed 'suspicious'. Often based on origin. Queries, algorithms, and fraud lists were the foundation. Tips and reports via PO boxes to municipalities, collaborations, and data sharing did the rest. If you believe the media, the CAF team for Benefits cases went rogue on its own.

Cases that the combined team was supposed to look into were selected by and at the Benefits department itself. Figures on the population: Only when the Benefits department brought forward a case and provided figures on the population could the CAF team get to work.

The Donner Committee writes a great deal about us but has never spoken to us. The principle of hearing both sides has been completely ignored here. Lawyers and advocates (as well as the affected parents and entrepreneurs) are not being given access to the files.

During the consultation on May 7, 2026, with the State Secretaries, we indicated that proving a causal link is impossible without the files.

Lawyer Merijn van Leeuwen filed a criminal complaint on behalf of parents and entrepreneurs, both domestically and abroad, on August 26, 2026, with the District Public Prosecutor's Office in The Hague, based on a suspicion of:

1. Intentional violation of the Constitution;

2. Intentional non-compliance with the Open Government Act;

3. Intentional withholding of documents from the parliamentary inquiry;

Another outcome is that, all these years after the childcare benefits scandal came to light, benefit recipients and entrepreneurs have been misinformed and/or provided with incomplete information. And it is not just benefit recipients; this also applies to members of the House of Representatives, the parliamentary inquiry committee, journalists, and judges. For the latter group (judges), it is possible that they made rulings in various cases involving benefit recipients based on incomplete files. Had the judges had access to a complete file, the outcomes for the benefit recipients might have been more favorable.

All in all, the client (Stichting Herstel Ongekend Onrecht and the Interest Association for Affected Entrepreneurs Toeslagen/FSV/MKB) has reached the conclusion that everything the trias politica stands for—checks and balances, journalists being able to do their jobs, etc.—has been deliberately sidelined. At least, that is the strong suspicion. But why?

THE CONTENT OF FORGOTTEN DOCUMENTS CANNOT STAND THE LIGHT OF DAY

Lawyer Merijn van Leeuwen states: the client suspects that the content of the 'forgotten' documents cannot stand the light of day and that this content therefore had to remain hidden.

THE ENTIRE TAX AUTHORITY WAS INVOLVED

This issue appears to be even larger. Because the suspected flagrant violations and inconsistencies did not only take place (and perhaps still do) within the Benefits Agency, but also within the Tax and Customs Administration, including the FIOD. As a result, it is suspected that taxpayers and suspects have also fallen victim to this conduct.

THE LIES, DECEPTION, AND COVER-UPS MUST END ONCE AND FOR ALL

From the criminal complaint filed by lawyer Merijn van Leeuwen:

On the building of the district public prosecutor's office in Arnhem, the words ‘No lie can live forever’ are written in large letters. As far as the client is concerned, the lies, deception, and cover-ups must end once and for all.

The client therefore requests that you process this complaint, initiate a criminal investigation, and proceed with criminal prosecution if criminal offenses are established.

I also request that you inform me regarding the next steps in this matter.

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Merijn van Leeuwen Advocatuur

Arnhem, August 26, 2026