Tennis Star Boris Becker Found Guilty Of Bankruptcy Fraud

Although tennis star Boris Becker has disputed all of the allegations leveled against him, he has been found guilty of bankruptcy fraud.

Tennis Star Boris Becker Found Guilty Of Bankruptcy Fraud

Boris Becker, a renowned German tennis player, was found guilty on seven counts by a London jury on Friday during his bankruptcy trial.

Becker had been in court on 24 counts stemming from his 2017 bankruptcy, which he filed over a 3.5 million GBP ($4.6 million, €4.2 million) loan from a bank for a Spanish home.

Becker was found to be guilty of charges such as failing to report his estate and hiding debt by the court.

Tennis Star Boris Becker Found Guilty Of Bankruptcy Fraud 2
Boris Becker’s last match as a professional tennis player was his defeat to Australia’s Patrick Rafter in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 1999. Becker’s career took a high physical toll on him. He has been quoted as saying that “I have two new hips and a 10-centimeter-long (six inches) metal plate in my right ankle, and I have a slight limp.”

On a total of 20 counts, he was acquitted.

On April 29, the sentencing will be announced.

What assets is Becker said to be concealing?

Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, allegedly told trustees aiming to preserve his valuables that he did not own several trophies.

He claimed that his Wimbledon title was in the Tennis Hall of Fame, that another was with the German Tennis Federation (DTB), and that the third was presented to his mother.

He further stated that the lost rewards were of little worth or significance to him.

Tennis Star Boris Becker Found Guilty Of Bankruptcy Fraud 3
On June 21, 2017, a London court declared Boris Becker bankrupt after a private bank went to court over a “substantial” sum he owed them. The registrar found that there was a lack of credible evidence the amount would be paid anytime soon. Becker has rejected the notion, telling the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung that he was “neither insolvent, nor bankrupt.”

The money was paid into a corporate account that he was using as a personal “piggy bank.” according to the court.

A London flat, a €825,000 bank loan, and large sums given to his ex-wife Barbara Becker, estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker, and a friend are among the other interests at risk.

Transfers of €300,000 towards his own account, substantial sums paid at fashion retailers, and school fees and cash moved to a joint bank account with his son Noah are also of relevance.

Becker, who won 49 singles titles in his 16-year career, has disputed all of the allegations leveled against him.

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