Dutch justice prosecutes former Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd for corruption

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Frits van Eerd, the former CEO of the Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo, is “in any case prosecuted” for corruption and forgery. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service (OM) may also prosecute him for money laundering, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Authorities raided Van Eerd’s home in the province of North Brabant in September 2022, as part of an investigation into money laundering, in which Dutch former cyclist Theo E. is the main suspect. According to the Public Prosecution Service, the latter was guilty of tax fraud, forgery and non-official corruption (corruption in the private sector).

The investigation into Van Eerd has not yet been completed. In any case, prosecutors say they have clear indications of non-official corruption. During the searches, the Public Prosecution Service says it seized incriminating evidence and a large amount of money. Het Financieele Dagblad wrote in 2022 that hundreds of thousands of euros in cash were found in Van Eerd’s house.

Van Eerd did not return to the Jumbo board after his arrest was announced. Ton van Veen, former financial director and supervisory director at the supermarket chain, succeeded him as CEO. Four other suspects are offered a criminal order by the Public Prosecution Service. These are punishments, for example fines, that the Public Prosecution Service can impose without the need for a judge. The investigation into a number of other suspects has been dropped.