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
COMECE Congratulates Mairead McGuinness on Appointment as EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief
Mairead McGuinness during Rethinking Europe in 2017. (Photo: COMECE)
PRESS RELEASE // COMECE // The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) congratulates Mairead McGuinness on her appointment as EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, announced today, Thursday 26 March 2026.
“COMECE knows Ms McGuinness well and
Orbán’s spies were hunting me, says Hungarian journalist accused of espionage
Szijjártó has admitted to speaking with Russian counterparts before and after EU meetings, as reported by The Washington Post, revealing that he shared reports with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
Secularism on Trial: France’s Struggle with Faith and Identity
Vadym Novynskyi: “Peace Is as Essential to Ukraine as Air”
Former Ukrainian parliamentarian Vadym Novynskyi, who is currently living in one of the European countries after being forced to leave Ukraine, gave an interview to the conservative Spanish channel HerqlesTV. In the interview, he addressed key issues related to the current situation in Ukraine and placed particular emphasis on the condition of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which, according t
European Commission Probes Cyber Attack on Its Websites
There is a growing trend of attacks on European governments and companies by both criminal and state-sponsored h
Iran Conflict Intensifies as Europe Seeks Unified Stance
Recent Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday have shifted the Middle East conflict back into global headlines, but for Europe, the implications extend beyond military concerns. It is about ensuring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, addressing rising energy anxieties, maintaining transatlantic coordination, and fearing that another crisis might divert attention from Ukraine.
Israel’s latest stri
Putin Ally Foresees Europe and Britain Pleading for Russian Energy
Dmitriev, a prominent Kremlin economic envoy involved in discussions with the U.S. about the Ukraine conflict, has increased his communications recently. He portrays Russia as essential to global energy markets amid tightening supply and asserts t
Creating a Safer Online Environment for Children: Interview with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen
The European Commission has targeted major adult websites, revealing initial findings that Pornhub, Stripc
Europe’s FoRB Envoys: Few Posts, Many Offices
Europe’s institutional framework for freedom of religion or belief is more developed
Leave a Reply