Dick Vande Vyvere, the man who founded and later sold the fitness chains Passage and JustFit, faces 30 months in prison at the Ghent Court of Appeal for fraud, money laundering, forgery and fraudulent insolvency.
In the initial trial, many of the charges were dismissed.
Now 61, Vande Vyvere founded Passage Fitness First in the 1990s and was dubbed “the fitness king” as a market leader in Belgium. He also started the budget chain JustFit but eventually sold the companies. However, he borrowed large sums from friends and acquaintances without repaying them, and about 20 of his victims demanded compensation in the criminal court.
In 2019, Vande Vyvere and his partner were arrested on charges including fraud and money laundering.
In 2022, the lower court acquitted him of most charges due to a flawed investigation and vague accusations. He ultimately received a suspended 10-month prison sentence and a €4,000 fine, but the prosecution appealed, requesting a 30-month sentence for Vande Vyvere, and one year in prison for his partner.
The prosecution claimed the couple lived in luxury to appear creditworthy and deceive people, thus managing to borrow €3.7 million.
One victim said he was enticed with fake bank statements from India showing balances of up to €20 million. He described being strung along with excuses after investing money and not being repaid.
The couple, who recently moved from their luxurious villa in Merelbeke to a rented home in Ostend, insist there was never any intent to commit fraud. “I have not pocketed anything and still lose sleep over this,” Vande Vyvere said. His partner supported him, claiming they could not even afford heating.
“Sure, I made mistakes, but I’ve already been heavily punished,” Vande Vyvere added. “I never consciously defrauded anyone.”
Their lawyer, Kato Van Espsen, argues that storytelling is not a crime.
Vande Vyvere spent six months in pre-trial detention and his partner four. Both hope to avoid further prison time.
The verdict is expected on 17 March.
