Former Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd to appeal jail sentence

Former Jumbo CEO Frits van Eerd is appealing his recent sentence of two years in prison for money laundering, bribery and forgery.

“Cannot agree with the verdict”

Van Eerd’s lawyer Robbert Jonk had already hinted immediately after the verdict that the former CEO would appeal, and now he also confirms it on his website: “Client does not agree with the verdict in any way and believes that the court’s verdict does not do justice at all to the facts and his alleged role therein. On behalf of the client, the defence will therefore request the court to re-evaluate the verdict on all points,” it says.

Van Eerd received a harsher sentence than the prosecution had requested: on 7 August, the judge ruled he found the entrepreneur’s arguments implausible and pointed out that Van Eerd had a role model function. The former Jumbo CEO always emphatically denied allegations of money laundering and fraud and even turned down an out-of-court settlement to defend himself in court.

Jumbo itself is not involved in the case, but observers point out that the company, which also was a victim in this case according to the verdict, must quickly clarify its future.