It was big news exactly a year ago: a raid on Frits van Eerd’s house by the Fiscal Intelligence and Investigation Service (FIOD). Hundreds of thousands of euros were found in the safe in his house in Heeswijk-Dinther. Van Eerd is a suspect in a major investigation into money laundering. This is what happened since September last year.
September 13, 2022
The FIOD raids Van Eerd’s house in the investigation into money laundering. According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), this money laundering took place through real estate transactions, car trading, cash deposits and sponsorship contracts in motocross sports. There may also have been VAT fraud in the car trade.
The Public Prosecution Service had ordered the raids. Boxes full of documents are seized from the house. In addition to Van Eerd, eight more people are arrested in this case.
September 18, 2022
Van Eerd is released after five days, but remains a suspect in the investigation. More is also known about the other suspects: known criminal and car dealer Theo Eggens (58) from Assen appears to be the main suspect in the money laundering investigation. He previously coached a racing team sponsored by Jumbo.
A Hummer and a trailer from Theo Eeggens link him to Van Eerd. The vehicle was parked behind the Golf Shop on the Jumbo site in Veghel, according to research by the AD.
October 18, 2022
According to the FD, Jumbo already had major doubts about car dealer Theo Eggens in 2014. The company from Veghel refused to pay an invoice of 60,500 euros to Eggens at the time. The criminal prosecution of Eggens. was a reason for Jumbo not to pay the bill in 2014. Nevertheless, Van Eerd continued to do business with him privately afterwards.
January 3, 2023
Ton van Veen, who became the new Jumbo boss after the temporary departure of Van Eerd, announces that Jumbo will stop sponsoring motorsport. Until that moment, Jumbo, and especially CEO Frits van Eerd, was inextricably linked to motorsport. The company came into disrepute precisely because of its sponsorship of motor sports teams.
Later it is also announced that the money tap for the cycling and skating team will be turned off by Jumbo. And the crown jewel of Jumbo-sponsored athletes, Max Verstappen, will have to look for a new sponsor in 2024. It’s not all that surprising, according to experts. “Sports sponsorship has become a bit contaminated within the Jumbo group,” sports marketer Bob van Oosterhout told NOS.
March 7, 2023
Van Eerd temporarily resigned as CEO after he was arrested. At the beginning of March it becomes clear that he will not return at all. Ton van Veen, his temporary replacement, will succeed him permanently.
The supermarket has been struggling with how to fill the position of CEO since the raid, because a lawsuit can take a long time and Van Eerd’s image has been damaged.
Supermarket expert Paul Moers calls Van Eerd’s departure ‘wise’: “They have put two very good people at the helm with Ton van Veen and Colette Cloosterman-Van Eerd. Colette, Frits’ sister, will become chairman of the supervisory board. She has the right Jumbo blood in her. She knows the ins and outs and is enthusiastic and has the drive.”
July 26, 2023
Van Eerd still does not know what exactly he is suspected of. This is what the new Jumbo CEO Ton van Veen says in an interview with the FD. The crisis surrounding Van Eerd has had a major impact on the supermarket: “Let it be clear that as a family business you will be hit right in the middle if two key family members die. It is not like: it’s a shame that the CEO has left, long live the next one.”
The new CEO says about Van Eerd: “I still have regular contact with Frits. He still doesn’t know what exactly he is suspected of. His life is on pause. That is his biggest punishment: he can’t do anything except wait.”
Images of the raid on Frits van Eerd on September 13 last year.