Judge sentences former Jumbo boss Frits van Eerd to two years in prison

According to the judges, Van Eerd has been proven guilty of all three charges: passive bribery, forgery, and money laundering.

Van Eerd's lawyer announced after the verdict that he was "tremendously disappointed" and would "very likely" appeal. "There's really no other option. The moment you disagree with a verdict, you have to appeal," said lawyer Robbert Jonk.

More severe punishment

The sentence is more severe than what the Public Prosecution Service requested. At the end of June, the prosecutor requested a two-year prison sentence, with eight months suspended. However, the court considers the proven offenses so serious that there is no room for a partially suspended sentence.

According to the judges, Van Eerd abused his position as CEO of supermarket group Jumbo by accepting bribes. In doing so, he enriched himself at Jumbo's expense and violated both the company's code of conduct and the law, according to the ruling.

The court also holds him "seriously" charged with laundering money of criminal origin. "Laundering criminal assets facilitates the underlying crime," the presiding judge explained in his sentence. "Money laundering undermines the legitimate economy and is a threat to society."

Half a million in cash

The case against Van Eerd began three years ago with raids by the police and the FIOD (Fiscal Information and Investigation Service) on the home and workplace of the former CEO and co-owner of supermarket giant Jumbo. During those raids, nearly half a million euros in cash was found, including in a refrigerator.

Van Eerd was subsequently detained and interrogated for several days. After the supermarket owner rejected a settlement offer, the Public Prosecution Service decided to prosecute him.

Money laundering

According to the Public Prosecution Service, Van Eerd had accepted bribes with gifts from Drenthe car dealer Theo E. and was guilty of forgery and money laundering from an illegal source. Van Eerd had denied any wrongdoing in recent years and personally declared his innocence in court at the end of June.

Watch this video to see what preceded the verdict in the criminal case against Van Eerd: