The information is revealed by the very reputable Financial Times, to which a spokesperson reportedly stated: “The SFO is aware of allegations against Mr. Ecclestone and is in contact with the German authorities to determine if there is a case to pursue in the UK.”<\/p>\n
The involvement of the SFO was notified by a letter addressed by Dominic Grieve, the Attorney General, to his Labour counterpart, Emily Thornberry. She responded that the trial of the former banker raises issues related to blackmail, corruption, and tax evasion that need to be thoroughly investigated by British authorities.<\/p>\n
Obviously, the main person concerned denied having anything to be reproached for, which is relatively logical in the present case since the SFO indicates that it could launch an investigation on him and not that it has already done so. However, he had admitted before and during the trial to having paid the sum demanded by Gehrard Gribkowsky so that he “wouldn’t do something stupid.” The main weapon of the latter would have been potential false accusations of tax evasion while Bernie Ecclestone was in the process of finalizing the sale of F1’s commercial rights. These accusations could have therefore directly harmed him, and he thus estimated that it would cost him less to respond favorably to the banker’s demand.<\/p>\n
As for Stephen Mullens, the lawyer of the Bambino trust, he exercised his right not to appear at the Munich trial since he was not accused of anything and did not want to be compelled to incriminate himself… This might be a sign that Bernie Ecclestone is only at the beginning of his legal troubles.<\/p>\n