Gert Verhulst

Fraudulent advertisements used Verhulst's name and image to promote fake investments, particularly in cryptocurrencies.

State of the evidence

Identity misuse and police warning documented; no involvement in the investments

Legal status — source text

Official warning; perpetrators not identified in the source

Attribution

Victim; attribution coefficient zero

Dozens of former employees described shouting, humiliation, harassment and a culture of constant work at Plopsa. Studio 100 commissioned an audit and subsequently removed Steve Van den Kerkhof.

State of the evidence

Multiple testimonies, prosecutorial investigation and external report documented; no personal acts by Verhulst alleged

Legal status — source text

Prosecutorial investigation opened; Plopsa CEO removed following external report

Attribution

Institutional responsibility as Studio 100 co-founder, co-owner and executive; no personal intimidation established

In the first episode of De Tafel van Vier, Verhulst repeatedly used the N-word during a discussion about 'woke' and challenged certain criticisms concerning racism. The segment prompted a strong reaction and a member of the editorial team resigned.

State of the evidence

Broadcast, criticism, editorial staff member's departure and apology documented

Legal status — source text

No judicial proceedings documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility as presenter and editorial producer

Following a substantial sale of Studio 100 shares, Verhulst and Bourlon consolidated their holdings through partnerships that publish less information than the previous companies, prompting criticism of opacity.

State of the evidence

Holding company restructuring documented; no illegality alleged

Attribution

Direct involvement as a partner in the Remus structure

Finance officer Maarten S. embezzled more than €5 million over an extended period. Verhulst's remark that he was not losing sleep over it was perceived as dismissive, and the case raised questions about internal controls.

State of the evidence

Embezzlement by an employee documented; Verhulst and Studio 100 were victims

Legal status — source text

Criminal proceedings against the accountant; no allegations against Verhulst

Attribution

Victim and executive responsible for controls, without participation in the fraud

The Belgian Special Tax Inspectorate (BBI) examined the tax-free withdrawal of approximately €12 million from Romulus and Remus, Verhulst and Bourlon's holding company, considering whether it might constitute a disguised taxable dividend.

State of the evidence

Tax investigation documented; final outcome not located; fraud not established

Legal status — source text

BBI investigation reported in 2014; no public conviction documented

Attribution

Direct involvement alongside Hans Bourlon as a beneficiary of the disputed transaction

Verhulst was successively in relationships with Karen Damen and Josje Huisman, both members of K3, a group operated by Studio 100, of which he was the head and co-owner.

State of the evidence

Relationships with Karen Damen and Josje Huisman acknowledged and documented; abuse neither alleged nor established

Attribution

Direct involvement; hierarchical context relevant but no coercion established

In an interview, Verhulst stated, among other things, that a woman should not 'have balls', disparaged feminism and defended traditional gender roles, prompting feminist criticism.

State of the evidence

Published remarks and criticism documented

Attribution

Directly implicated