WILLEMSTAD - Gerrit Schotte has lost his appeal against ORCO Bank, which had terminated its relationship with the former prime minister. The Court of First Instance ruled in favor of the bank, and now three appellate judges have reached the same conclusion. 

After his release, Schotte initiated a crowdfunding campaign, allowing the community to deposit money into his account at ORCO Bank. This private account was intended for his salary and personal expenses, not for activities such as third-party deposits to generate income. 

When ORCO closed his account, Schotte filed a lawsuit against the bank to have his account reopened and requested that all transactions proceed normally. He demanded that the bank reopen the account, not cancel his bank card, and refrain from any actions that would impede his banking transactions. Additionally, Schotte sought to maintain access to mobile and online banking. 

Schotte aimed to raise at least part of the 1.8 million guilders he is required to pay following his conviction for corruption in public office, money laundering, and forgery.