Great tennis player Boris Becker was sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison for bankruptcy
LONDON – Tennis great Boris Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison on Friday for illegally transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after he was declared bankrupt.
The three-time Wimbledon champion was convicted earlier this month of four counts under the Bankruptcy Act and faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.
Judge Deborah Taylor announced the verdict after hearing arguments from prosecutors and Becker’s attorney.
The 54-year-old German was found to have transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds following the June 2017 bankruptcy from his business account to other accounts, including those of his ex-wife Barbara and his wife estranged Sharlely “Lilly” Becker.
Becker was also found guilty of failing to declare assets in Germany and concealing a bank loan worth 825,000 euros ($871,000) and a stake in a technology company.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London acquitted him of 20 other charges, including allegations he failed to hand out many of his accolades, including two Wimbledon titles and an Olympic gold medal .
Becker, wearing a blue and purple Wimbledon striped tie, walked hand in hand into the courthouse with girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.
The six-time Grand Slam champion has denied all allegations, saying he cooperated with trustees charged with securing his assets – even handing out his wedding rings – and acted upon it. expert advice.
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley said Becker acted “intentionally and dishonestly” and that he was “still seeking to place the blame on others.”
Defense attorney Jonathan Laidlaw argued for leniency, saying his client did not spend money on a “luxury lifestyle” but on child support, rent, legal and business expenses . Becker, he told the court, had experienced “public humiliation” and had no future income potential.
Becker’s bankruptcy stemmed from a loan of 4.6 million euros from a private bank in 2013, as well as about $1.6 million borrowed from a British businessman the following year, according to testimony at the hearing. court.
During the trial, Becker said his career earnings of $50 million were swallowed up by payments to a “costly divorce” and debts as he lost a large portion of his earnings after the divorce. retire.
Becker became a star in 1985 at the age of 17 when he became the first hidden player to win the Wimbledon singles title, and he subsequently rose to number 1 in the rankings. He has lived in the UK since 2012.
