Jean-Louis Delamotte, a Belgian businessman, served as the manager of [[Achats Services Commerces]] (ASCO), a company owned by [[Michel Nihoul]] and involved in fraud and vehicle supply during the 1990s. ASCO provided white Mercedes vans used by Nihoul and [[Marc Dutroux]] for photographing schoolgirls and transporting victims in the child trafficking network. Delamotte's management role included overseeing ASCO's operations in Charleroi, where the company was registered, and facilitating the use of vehicles for abductions. Police investigations post-Dutroux's August 1996 arrest linked ASCO vans to the kidnappings of [[Laetitia Delhez]] and [[Sabine Dardenne]], with partial license plates matching those used in the crimes. Delamotte was arrested in connection with ASCO's fraudulent activities, which included money laundering and business dealings tied to Nihoul's fraud convictions. During interrogations, Delamotte provided information on Nihoul's operations, confirming the company's role in providing vehicles for the network.[^1] Delamotte's involvement came under scrutiny during the Dutroux affair, with ASCO's vans identified as key in the abduction logistics. The company, a front for Nihoul's schemes, supplied the white van used in Laetitia Delhez's August 9 abduction, with the witness's plate PBX 688 matching ASCO registrations. Delamotte's management included leasing or providing these vehicles to Dutroux, who used them for surveillance and kidnappings, including circling areas near schools to select victims. ASCO's fraud involved inflated invoices and money laundering, with Delamotte handling administrative aspects. He was detained in August 1996 alongside Nihoul, with police seizing documents showing financial flows to Dutroux's accounts. Delamotte's testimony detailed Nihoul's instructions for vehicle use in operations, linking to payments for child supplies.[^1] Delamotte's role extended to Nihoul's broader fraud network, with ASCO serving as a cover for illicit activities. The company was raided as part of the investigation, uncovering records of vehicle assignments to Dutroux. Delamotte's arrest highlighted ASCO's centrality, with the vans used for both photography and transport in the abductions of Sabine Dardenne and Laetitia Delhez. His statements to investigators confirmed Nihoul's coordination, with over twenty calls between Nihoul and Dutroux around the time of the crimes tracing to joint accounts. Delamotte's management position made him a key figure in linking the business to the trafficking logistics.[^1] ### ASCO Management Delamotte managed ASCO's day-to-day operations, including vehicle fleet for company use. The white vans, registered under ASCO, were loaned to Dutroux for tasks including victim scouting. Police traced the van from Laetitia's abduction to ASCO, leading to Delamotte's interrogation. ASCO's fraud involved fake transactions, with Delamotte handling paperwork that masked payments for other purposes. The company's location in Charleroi placed it near Dutroux's residence, facilitating the arrangement. Delamotte's testimony revealed Nihoul's direct involvement in directing vehicle use for non-business activities.[^1] Under Delamotte's oversight, ASCO provided vans used in the May 26 abduction of Sabine and August 9 seizure of Laetitia, with [[Michel Lelievre]] assisting in both. The vehicles were ordinary for business but adapted for kidnappings with tinted windows and sedatives. Delamotte confirmed in statements the vans' availability to Dutroux, who returned them after use. The investigation uncovered ASCO's role in money laundering, with funds from sales of girls and pornography tapes flowing through the company. Delamotte's arrest in 1996 led to charges for fraud, with his cooperation providing insights into Nihoul's network.[^1] ### Legal Outcome Delamotte was arrested in August 1996 as part of the Dutroux affair probe, charged with fraud and money laundering related to ASCO's operations. His testimony contributed to Nihoul's conviction for criminal association, though Nihoul was acquitted of kidnapping. Delamotte received a sentence for fraud in connection with the case, serving time for his management role in the company's illicit dealings. The 2004 trial highlighted ASCO's vehicles as evidence, with Delamotte not testifying directly but his statements used to show the network's business cover. Post-trial, Delamotte maintained a low profile, with no further legal actions documented.[^1] Delamotte's cooperation included detailing ASCO's financial records, showing transfers to Dutroux's accounts for vehicle use and other services. The company's bankruptcy followed the arrests, with assets seized. Delamotte's role remained tied to the fraud, not direct abductions, but his management enabled the logistics. The case integrated into the broader investigation under Connerotte, with ASCO's vans central to the timeline of kidnappings.[^1] ### Connections Delamotte connected to Nihoul as ASCO's manager, handling vehicles used in abductions. His role linked to [[Michelle Martin]]'s filming and [[Michel Lelievre]]'s assistance in kidnappings. ASCO's fraud tied to Nihoul's prior convictions, with Delamotte overseeing operations that masked payments. The X-Dossier mentioned ASCO in contexts of business fronts for elite networks, though Delamotte's direct ties remained fraud-related. His arrest implicated the company's role in the Dutroux affair, with vehicles traced to the crimes.[^1] Delamotte's statements confirmed Nihoul's instructions for vehicle assignments, linking to phone records and financial trails. The investigation under [[Jean-Marc Connerotte]] examined ASCO's records, uncovering the laundering scheme. Delamotte's connections remained within Nihoul's circle, with no evidence of direct involvement in abuse. His management position made him a conduit for the network's logistics, with ASCO's vans key in the abductions.[^1] ### Footnotes [^1]: Dovey, S. (2023). Eye of the Chickenhawk. United States: Thehotstar.