A former VVD senator faces prosecution for bribery, election fraud and money laundering, the public prosecution department said on Friday.

Jos van Rey, a member of the right-wing Liberal VVD, will appear in court on January 20 to face a number of charges, including laundering €175,000. Property developer Piet van Pol and former Rotterdam council official Tilman Scheurs also face legal action in the same case, the department said.

The investigation into Van Rey began in 2012 and included a raid on his home and on Roermond council offices, where he was an alderman. He resigned as an alderman shortly afterwards and then left the senate.

The election fraud claims stem from allegations that he coached a candidate for an interview for the position of mayor of Roermond.