Frits van Eerd, former CEO of supermarket chain Jumbo and ex-sponsor of Max Verstappen, is set to face money laundering charges. The Public Prosecutor’s Office made this decision during a pre-trial hearing at the Assen courthouse on Monday. It was previously revealed that Van Eerd is also being prosecuted for corruption and forgery.
Van Eerd is primarily known in the motorsport world as a long-time loyal sponsor of Max Verstappen, even before his entry into Formula 1. He was also the initiator of the Jumbo Race Days at the Zandvoort circuit and has been active in long-distance racing for many years.
In September 2022, a sum of 448,000 euros in cash was found during a raid on Van Eerd’s house in Heeswijk-Dinther, Brabant. The money was located in a private workshop and office of Van Eerd, including inside a refrigerator. The raid was part of a large-scale investigation into money laundering, with former motocross rider Theo E. as the main suspect. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, he is guilty of tax fraud, forgery, and non-official corruption.
Van Eerd was not present in the courtroom on Monday. As it was a pre-trial hearing, he could not yet contribute substantively, explained Van Eerd’s lawyer Robbert Jonk to the court. Van Eerd also prefers to avoid all media attention.
