Ghent (Eurotoday): Optima Bank, declared bankrupt in June 2016 with debts of €115 million, faces legal proceedings against former CEO Jeroen Piqueur and others for money laundering. The Ghent Criminal Court will hear the case on February 20, 2025.
Optima Bank went bankrupt in June 2016, and its former CEO Jeroen Piqueur, along with his son Ruben and daughter Rebecca, were arrested in December 2017. Jeroen Piqueur faces charges of misuse of corporate assets and money laundering. Investigators claim that 100 million euros were transferred from the Belgian bank to foreign countries like Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Several former executives, including ex-minister Luc Van den Bossche, are also facing charges in connection with the case.
What charges will Jeroen Piqueur face in the upcoming Optima bank trial?
The public prosecutor’s office requested that 12 suspects be sent to criminal court, while 8 individuals and companies were not referred. The Ghent indictment chamber decided to refer Piqueur and others to court in 2025 for various charges, including forgery and money laundering. Piqueur appealed the decision, but the Court of Cassation dismissed his appeal.
Piqueur has referred to the Ghent Court of Appeal, which stated in 2021 that Judge Serlippens’ investigation was not impartial. Because of this, the allegations could not be dismissed. However, the Court of Cassation disagreed with this ruling. The case will move to the Ghent Criminal Court, which will hear it for the first time on February 20. The defense may challenge the court’s setup, which could delay the proceedings. A report from bankruptcy trustees shows that the declared debts could be between 100 and 115 million euros, while an asset worth 91 million euros has already been realized. The Guarantee Fund also received an advance of 37.5 million euros in 2020.
Comments
7 responses to “Optima Bank’s Jeroen Piqueur Appears in Ghent Court Over €115 Million Bankruptcy Scandal”
-
Ah, Jeroen Piqueur’s court appearance in Ghent over a €115 million bankruptcy scandal—just the kind of riveting drama the Flemish were missing from their otherwise uneventful Tuesday. Who knew that playing financial hide-and-seek with millions could make such a splash? One can’t help but wonder if he brought along a paella as a peace offering; after all, nothing says “I’m sorry” quite like a good meal while the lawyers do the heavy lifting!
-
Ah, Jeroen Piqueur—truly a master of financial gymnastics, flipping €115 million into a spectacular bankruptcy show. One can only wonder if he’ll be offering lessons at the local café in Ghent next, because who wouldn’t want to learn the art of disappearing money while sipping a fine espresso? Bravo, Jeroen, for keeping the courtroom drama more riveting than a Belgian soap opera!
-
Ah, Jeroen Piqueur showing up in Ghent court—who knew the Optima Bank saga could turn into such a riveting courtroom drama? With €115 million on the line, it’s almost as if he’s auditioning for a role in “Desperate Bankers of Belgium.” One can only hope the judge has a decent sense of humor, because this financial farce could use a good laugh!
-
Ah, the delightful Jeroen Piqueur—trading in the glory of banking with all the finesse of a squirrel on a tightrope; who knew €115 million could vanish faster than a Belgian chocolate at a diet convention?
-
Ah, the illustrious Jeroen Piqueur gracing the Ghent court like a celebrity at a film festival; who knew that a €115 million bankruptcy could turn into such a riveting spectacle—perhaps next year’s Festival of Fiascos can showcase his family reunion on trial?
-
As Jeroen Piqueur waltzes into the Ghent Court like a rock star at a charity gala, one can’t help but wonder if €115 million in debts is just his way of starting a new trend in avant-garde banking—because who needs fiscal responsibility when you’ve got a flair for the dramatic?
-
Ah, the illustrious Jeroen Piqueur, strutting into Ghent Court like a long-lost cousin at a family reunion, ready to explain how one can “accidentally” misplace €115 million while looking for a good spot to park one’s yacht in Liechtenstein—what a delightful masterclass in financial gymnastics!
Last News
Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham to Intensify Pressure on Israel
LONDON, July 09, Eurotoday Newspaper – Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next British prime minister later this month, has signaled his intention to exert greater pressure on the Israeli government regarding its ongoing actions in Gaza. The incoming leader’s comments follow recent reports that he seeks a more robust approach than that of his predecessor.
In a recent interview, Burnham
RIKV 26 1118 Treasury Bill Auction Announcement
Press ReleaseThis article is based on a press release or official communication from Wire News Service. The European Times republishes it as a public service.
Series
RIKV 26 1118
RIKV 27 0120
ISIN
IS0000039212
IS0000039501
Maturity Date
11/18/2026
01/20/2027
Auction Date
07/13/2026
07/13/2026
Settlement Date
07/15/2026
07/15/2026
On the Auction Date, between 10:30 am and 11:00 am,
Bardella rétrogradé, les marinistes galvanisés
Mexico to File Criminal Complaints Over Citizen Deaths in U.S. Anti-Migrant Actions
MEXICO CITY, July 09, Brussels Morning Newspaper – The government of Mexico plans to file criminal complaints in the United States concerning Mexican citizens who died while in immigration custody or during anti-immigration operations, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday. The Mexican government reports that 14 Mexican nationals have died in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Custo
Groundbreaking Date for the Coeur d’Alene Idaho Temple
Over 480,000 members of the Church reside in Idaho, meeting in around 1,300 congregations. Dedicated temples in
Europe’s Conservatives Revive Bill on Child Abuse Scanning
Ultimately, neither side was satisfied.
German lawmaker Lena Düpont, the center-right group’s home affairs spokesperson, expressed that the group favored a straightforward return of the law without am
After Tobacco Tax Collapse, Rapporteur Urges Irish Presidency to Value Committee’s Efforts
Two weeks on from the European Parliament’s failure to agree any position on the revision of the Tobacco Excise Directive, the file’s rapporteur is going public with a message for the incoming Irish Presidency: don’t let the committee’s work go to waste.
Tomáš Kubín, the Czech MEP from the Patriots for Europe group who steered the file through Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee
Shell plc Releases Final Results of Exchange Offers
Press ReleaseThis article is based on a press release or official communication from Wire News Service. The European Times republishes it as a public service.
Press Release
July 9, 2026
Shell plc Announces Final Results of ExchangeOffers
Shell plc (LSE: SHEL) (NYSE: SHEL) (AEX: SHELL) today announces the final results of its previously announced offers to exchange (the “Exchange Offers” and ea
EU Weighs Tariffs on Imports from Unauthorized Israeli Settlements
Suspending a trade agreement with Israel completely or sanctio
Frequent Company Registration Errors Causing UK Business Approval Delays
London, July 08, Eurotoday Newspaper – Company registration mistakes remain one of the leading reasons new business applications face delays across the UK. Company formation specialists report that inaccurate information, incomplete documentation, and filing errors continue to slow approvals, even as online registration has made the process faster for most entrepreneurs.
Registration Errors Cont
Leave a Reply