Mayor Vergote subpoenaed for conflict of interest

In 2017, mayor Vergote (VISIE) bought a piece of agricultural land in the Millesteenstraat in Moorslede for 192,000 euros. After the purchase of the land, plans were made to convert that piece of land into a general craft zone. Mayor Vergote was present at the meetings that dealt with this. In the meantime, he has sold the land and made a profit of about 200,000 euros.

Imprisonment and/or fine

An investigation by Audit Vlaanderen shows that Vergote’s presence at those meetings is not compatible with his personal involvement. This combination is considered a conflict of interest. The public prosecutor’s office now assumes that there are sufficient indications that Vergote also committed a criminal offense, so that it summoned the mayor. ‘Taking an interest by a civil servant’ carries prison sentences of one to five years and/or fines of 800 to 400,000 euros.

Ward Vergote goes for the acquittal. “Everyone could see that the piece of land was in a search zone,” it sounds. This means that the piece of land is eligible for a change of use. The opposition believes that the mayor cannot stay on and asks him to step aside.

(Read more below the photo.)

More mayors in disrepute

Vergote is not the first mayor to be discredited for such facts. Francesco Vanderjeugd from Staden and Dirk Verwilst from Meulebeke are also under investigation into ‘taking an interest by a civil servant’.