According to the public prosecutor’s office, the mayor purchased a piece of agricultural land that he knew, due to his position, would become more expensive industrial land. He was later able to effectively sell it at a much higher price.
In addition to a one-year suspended prison sentence, the Public Prosecution Service also requests a fine of 1,000 euros and the confiscation of 208,000 euros, the added value with which Vergote sold the piece of agricultural land. The family that owned it at the time is a civil party. During the period of the sale, she could not find out anywhere that the destination would change to more expensive industrial land. Eline Vanfleteren, lawyer for civil parties: “They are very satisfied that this case is being taken seriously by the Public Prosecution Service. We obviously still have to wait for the judge’s ruling.”