Prison sentence for Boris Becker?
decision in the next few hours
Created: 04/28/2022, 15:11
By: Michael Haug
Boris Becker was found guilty on four counts of delaying bankruptcy - his prison sentence could be announced on Friday.
London – When Boris Becker was convicted of tax evasion 20 years ago in Munich, he got off with a black eye.
The court left it at a two-year suspended sentence and a fine.
In the process in his adopted home of London for delaying insolvency, observers now consider a prison sentence for the German tennis icon to be possible.
Earlier this month, Becker was found guilty of four out of 24 charges, and the sentence is due to be announced on Friday.
The 54-year-old has achieved world fame and fortune with legendary victories in Wimbledon and other major tennis tournaments.
But the German lost his fortune - and is said to have violated the law several times in the insolvency proceedings that were initiated for this reason.
Boris Becker: On what counts was the tennis legend found guilty?
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London found him guilty of one count of removal of property, two counts of failure to disclose possessions and one count of concealment of debt.
Although it is only a partial guilty verdict, according to the British media, Becker faces up to seven years in prison.
According to the judgment, the Leimener did not fully comply with his disclosure obligations.
It was about property in Germany, shares in a technology company and a bank loan of 825,000 euros.
According to the jury, Becker also transferred large sums to the accounts of his ex-wives Barbara and Lilly Becker.
Boris Becker arrives at Southwark Crown Court in London.
© IMAGO/WIktor Szymanowicz
In June 2017, a London bankruptcy court declared the three-time Wimbledon champion bankrupt due to outstanding debts.
At the time, Becker's outstanding debts were estimated at up to 50 million pounds (59 million euros).
Becker, who won six Grand Slam tournaments in his sports career, has repeatedly had legal difficulties with money matters.
The Spanish judiciary targeted Becker for debts related to his villa in Mallorca, and the Swiss judiciary for allegedly not paying the pastor who married him in 2009.
In 2002, Becker was sentenced in Munich to two years' probation and a fine of 500,000 euros for tax evasion of around 1.7 million euros.
This process, as well as malice over several failed relationships of the sports star, contributed to the fact that "Bumm-Bumm-Boris"'s relationship with his home country Germany cooled down and he chose London as his place of residence.
Insolvency proceedings: Becker rejects allegations
Becker rejects the fact that he again violated applicable laws in the insolvency proceedings in Great Britain.
The London trial involved several trophies that he is said to have withheld, including the trophy for his first Wimbledon win in 1985 when he was just 17 years old.
More than 80 other items belonging to Becker, including trophies, tennis rackets, photos, watches and a "Bambi", were auctioned until July 2019.
With the proceeds of around 765,000 euros, only a fraction of Becker's debts was settled.
In November 2019, it was decreed that the tennis legend had to bow to the insolvency requirements of the British authorities for twelve more years.
The extension of the measure until October 16, 2031 is intended to prevent “Mr. Becker from causing further damage to his creditors,” the responsible insolvency authority explained at the time.
For Becker, his insolvency and its consequences are a hard blow.
In court, he said he was "shocked" and "ashamed" by his declaration of bankruptcy.
He and his attorney painted a picture of him as a man who had lost track of his possessions and expenses.
At least Becker doesn't have to go through this alone.
His partner Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro regularly accompanied him to court.
Becker's eldest son Noah was also at his side.
Should Judge Deborah Taylor send Boris Becker to prison on Friday, he can certainly use the support of his loved ones.
