German prosecutors have charged Bernie Ecclestone over claims he bribed German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky following the sale of Formula 1 to CVC.
The 82-year-old admitted to paying the banker £29 million ($44m) to avoid the UK tax office probing the sale of the sport in 2006. Ecclestone denies the payments were ‘bribes’.
However following the imprisonment of Gribkowsky for eight-and-a-half years, the prosecution turned its attention to Ecclestone.
He confirmed his lawyers had indeed received charges from Germany.
“I have just spoken to my lawyers and they have received an indictment. It’s being translated into English,” he told the Financial Times.
“We are defending it properly. It will be an interesting case. It’s a pity it’s happened,” he admitted.
It’s very likely Ecclestone will have to stand trial and could face prison if found guilty of the charges brought against him.
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