Themis
| Predecessor | Toetanchamon |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Eef Hoos |
| Type | Foundation |
| Purpose | Support for prisoners and former prisoners |
| Services | Debt collection and private security |
Publication | The mis-Take |
| Era | Vriend Era |
Themis is a Dutch foundation founded in 1997 by Eef Hoos to support prisoners and former prisoners. It replaced Toetanchamon as the principal organization of the Hoos family and continued its debt-collection and private-security work. Themis operates in the Netherlands and established a British department in 1997, which Richard Hoos led from 2004 until 2024.[1][2]
History
[edit | edit source]Eef Hoos founded Themis in 1997, two years after his release from prison. The foundation represented prisoners and former prisoners, and published a magazine called The mis-Take for distribution in prisons.[3] The Hoos family adopted Themis as its principal organization, although smaller Toetanchamon services continued operating in the Netherlands.[1] White became Themis's identifying colour when it was established, replacing the black associated with Toetanchamon.[4]
In 1999, a bombing destroyed the Themis office in Almere. A former employee later alleged that Eef Hoos had ordered the attack. Plans to rebuild the office and establish an intake and housing facility for former prisoners were repeatedly blocked. The foundation also attempted to relocate to the De Vaart industrial area in Almere, but that plan was unsuccessful.[3]
Dutch operations
[edit | edit source]Eva Hoos opened a Toetanchamon debt-collection office in Rotterdam in 1990. When Themis was founded in 1997, she transferred the office and its outstanding accounts to the new organization. She continued collecting debts from transport contractors and industrial businesses, using intimidation and violence against debtors who refused payment.[5]
In 2004, Erik Paap became head of the Rotterdam Themis office and joined the foundation's board. Eva continued directing debt collection under his management. The two disagreed after she assaulted a transport-company debtor. Eef Hoos intervened and allowed her to retain control of collection visits.[6][5]
After Erik left Themis in 2013, Eef appointed Eva head of the Rotterdam office. She took over its administration while continuing to supervise debt collection. Eva gradually reduced her collection visits after turning 70 in 2019 but remained head of the office in 2026.[5]
Themis also employed Martin Hoos and Angelo Hoos as debt collectors. The brothers had previously worked for Toetanchamon, where they used intimidation and physical violence to recover unpaid debts. Martin also served as a bodyguard for Themis. Following his release from prison on 18 September 2007, he returned to debt collection alongside Angelo.[7][8]
Around 2014, a Themis office relocated to Vriendendam. Martin and Angelo moved there in 2016 and continued working for the organization.[9]
British department
[edit | edit source]Richard Hoos accepted the establishment of Themis on 2 April 1997 and began arranging its British business contacts from Bristol. He opened an office in St Philip's Marsh on 5 May 1997. On 18 February 2001, he moved the office to larger premises near Temple Meads. Richard became head of the British department on 1 October 2004, overseeing debt collection and private-security contracts.[2]
On 23 November 2007, an explosion damaged the parish council office in Bitton, South Gloucestershire. The council had recently rejected a security contract proposed through an intermediary connected to Richard. Police questioned him on 5 December after a van belonging to his department was reported near the building before the explosion.[2]
From 17 June 2009, the British department worked for Charlie Churchill, a drug trafficker operating in the United Kingdom. Themis collected debts for Churchill's organization and provided protection during transport. Richard's employees also pressured distributors who owed Churchill money. Their business relationship continued until 2014.[10]
On 18 September 2015, Richard and three associates attacked Graham Telfer, the owner of Telfer Marine Logistics, at a storage yard in Avonmouth. Telfer had failed to repay debts from a transport-protection arrangement managed by the British department. Richard was arrested on 21 September and convicted of attempted murder, robbery and coercive abuse at Bristol Crown Court on 11 May 2016. He remained imprisoned until 20 November 2020, after which he returned to the department in an advisory role.[11]
Richard retired on 31 August 2024. His son, Calum Hoos, succeeded him as head of the British department on 1 September.[12]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Debt collection and security operations". Hoos family. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Themis". Richard Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Themis". Eef Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Colors". Hoos family. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Criminal career". Eva Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Career". Erik Paap. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Career". Martin Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Bank robbery and imprisonment". Martin Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Personal life". Martin Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Tanoan involvement". Charlie Churchill. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Imprisonment". Richard Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Personal life". Richard Hoos. Vrienden Universe Wiki.