The Agony Of Defeat: British Court Sentences Tennis Legend Boris Becker To 2 1/2 Years In Prison For Bankruptcy Fraud
A British court has sentenced tennis great Boris Becker was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison. The court found Becker had hid assets after he declared bankruptcy.
The British Court had convicted Becker earlier this month for violating the Insolvency Act. He faced a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Judge Deborah Taylor announced the sentence after hearing arguments from both the prosecutor and Becker’s attorney.
The court found Becker guilty of transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars from business accounts after his June 2017 bankruptcy. Those accounts belonged to his ex-wife Barbara and his estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker.
The court also convicted Becker for failing to declare a property in Germany. The court also discovered he was hiding $871,000 bank loan and shares in a tech firm.
The jury acquitted him on 20 other counts. Those charges included claims that he failed to hand over his many awards.
Boris Becker Denies Any Wrong Doing
The six-time Grand Slam champion has denied all the charges. Becker told the court he had cooperated with trustees. He also said he offered up his wedding ring.
Prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley said Becker had acted “deliberately and dishonestly.”
Defense attorney Jonathan Laidlaw argued for leniency. He said Becker had not spent the money on a “lavish lifestyle.”
He added that Becker spent the money on child support and rent. Becker also said he spent the money on legal and business expenses.
In addition, Laidlaw told the court Becker has experienced “public humiliation.”
Thus, he has no future earnings potential.
Becker’s bankruptcy stemmed from a $5 million loan from a private bank in 2013. In addition, Becker borrowed $1.6 million from a British businessman the year after.
Becker also said his $50 million career earnings had been swallowed up by payments for an “expensive divorce.”
He also lost large chunks of his income after retirement.
Becker has lived in Britain since 2012.
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