In the criminal investigation into Frits van Eerd, the former CEO of supermarket chain Jumbo, seven witnesses under oath will be heard before the start of the substantive treatment. The witnesses must make clear where the 448,000 euros in cash comes from. That money was found in Van Eerd’s home and in his office in Veghel.
The court in Assen agreed on Monday to the interrogations during the second preparatory session against Van Eerd.
In September 2022 a raid followed in the Villa of Van Eerd in Heeswijk-Dinther. At home and in his office, agents found nearly 450,000 euros in cash money, including in a fridge.
The Public Prosecution Service (OM) sees that as money laundering. But according to his lawyer you have to see that in proportion: Van Eerd is very wealthy. For the outside world this is a lot of money, he looks at it differently, was the message of his lawyer.
‘Van Eerd is not believed’
The witnesses that are interrogated are people who have bought things from the former CEO in the past and have paid for it with cash.
Van Eerd has always emphasized that the money does not come from crime, his lawyer Robbert Jonk repeated again during the hearing on Monday. “My client runs into a wall at the OM, what he says, is not believed,” said Jonk. Van Eerd himself was not present in court.
Money found in ‘Special places’
Hearing witnesses must therefore make clear where the money comes from. The lawyer also indicated during the hearing that the OM tried to reach a settlement with Van Eerd. A condition for this was that Van Eerd waived the money. He didn’t want that because, according to his counsel, this money was not a criminal.
The public prosecutor again explained on Monday what the suspicion of money laundering against Van Eerd is based on. Not only was the amount ‘in itself unusual’, but the money was also found in special places, such as in a refrigerator and workshop. This involved notes of 500, 200 and 100 euros.
Contact with people with criminal past
Van Eerd was detained for five days in September 2022. He returned as CEO of Jumbo. On the day of the raid on his estate, eight other people including the Drenthe car dealer Theo E. were arrested. Van Eerd comes through his contacts with this former motocross champion in the sight of the OM. He also had contact with people with a criminal past.
In addition to money laundering, he is also suspected of corruption and forgery. The substantive handling of the case takes place on 23, 24 and 26 June in the court in Groningen.
Crushed from Eerde
Last month it was announced that Van Eerd was extorted. The suspects, two men aged 38 and 41 from heroes in Limburg, would have forced him to pay more than 2 million euros.
The main suspect owns Motcrossteam Riley Yamaha Racing. The Veghel supermarket chain has been a sponsor of this team for years. Jumbo stopped after Van Eerd was arrested at home in September 2022. The case was arrested until 5 June next year.
Read also: OM: former CEO Jumbo Frits van Eerd for 2 million extorted
View crime explained here about how Frits van Eerd became a suspect with the police.
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