Professor leaves before internal UvA investigation | Inland

The university wanted to conduct an internal investigation after, among other things, Nieuwsuur had asked questions about the professor. The program reported Friday morning that Vermeulen had been secretly sponsored for years by a lobbying association of real estate investors. This sponsorship was through a construction with an intermediary. At the expense of the association, Vermeulen is said to have conducted research into tax exemptions for real estate investors, among other things. The UvA was not aware of the financing, says the spokesperson. Vermeulen had not reported the sponsorship.

The university does not yet know whether previous studies published by Vermeulen should be withdrawn. The UvA is also examining whether the internal investigation will continue after Vermeulen’s departure. According to Nieuwsuur, an investigation is also underway into the possible involvement of former department chair Rob Cornelisse.

Vermeulen started in 2012 as an endowed professor at the University of Amsterdam. The Amsterdam School of Real Estate (ASRE) paid his wages. Nieuwsuur reports that in reality the money came for five years from the Association for the protection of the joint interests of listed fiscal real estate investment institutions (VBFV).

—