Money laundering trial starts against fmr. Jumbo CEO; Caught with €448,000 in cash
The money laundering and corruption with motocross sponsorship trial against Frits van Eerd (58) and several other suspects starts in the court in Groningen on Monday. The former Jumbo CEO faces charges of money laundering, forgery, and corruption, including through motocross sponsorships for fellow suspect Theo E (61).
The authorities raided Van Eerd’s home in Heeswijk-Dinther and his office in Veghel in September 2022 as part of a money laundering investigation in which former racing driver Theo E. is the main suspect. The cops found 448,000 euros in cash - 197,000 euros hidden in various safes at Van Eerd’s home, and 250,000 euros in his office, including in a Jumbo bag in a refrigerator, in envelopes on the bookcase, and his workshop.
That amount in cash was enough for the Public Prosecution Service (OM) to add money laundering to the charges against the former Jumbo CEO. According to the OM, Van Eerd arranged sponsorship contracts in motocross for Theo E.’s team in exchange for goods delivered at little to no cost. E. is also charged with several other crimes that are not linked to Van Eerd, including tax fraud.
Van Eerd stepped down as CEO of Jumbo due to the criminal investigation against him, but he always denied the allegations. At the last pro forma hearing before the trial, his lawyer stressed that the money did not come from crime. The lawyer also added that Van Eerd is a wealthy man, and while 448,000 euros in cash may seem like a lot, he considers it a small amount.
The case also involves two other suspects who played a smaller role, according to OM. The men from Overijssel and Drenthe are charged with fiddling with sponsorship contracts. One of these suspects also had a motocross team that received sponsorships from Van Eerd. According to the OM, part of that money ended up with Theo E.
