Ecclestone, the trial and money

[Derek Smith]

Before Ecclestone's latest trial, the criminal one, he was reported to have offered £20m to the prosecutors to negate prosecution. This would not be a legal admission of guilt.

Now, it is reported in The Times that the trial is adjourned to reconsider the offer, despite the trial adducing much evidence against him.

This would mean that he would be allowed to continue as front man for CVC. Nice to know there is a law for us and no law for them, it would appear.

The concern Ecclestone is expressing for the sport would seem to focus mainly on viewing figures, although the gaps in the stands at the last two GPs must have been a bit of a worry. On top of that there's there full stands at Silverstone and still a loss of £1m.

CVC must be really upset. This hardly bodes well for the floatation or a sell-off.

[greygoose]

Does Bernie care if the stands are empty? Surely that is just a problem for the track.

[FourWheelDrift]

Circuit pay a fixed fee, with yearly interest to host and the TV revenue is increasing.

[longshot]

Perhaps I've got this wrong but are you saying that he is offering to buy himself out of the st and they are considering it?

[woof]

If this is the German case .. then in German law if you have the money you can pay your way out of a trial. (it depends on the crime but I believe it applies to white collar crime) So even if he lost it - he would pay the "fee" and it wouldn't do time.

[Derek Smith]

longshot said:

Perhaps I've got this wrong but are you saying that he is offering to buy himself out of the st and they are considering it?

Let's make this clear: I'm saying that this is what The Times is saying.

£20m? If he is found guilty then from what I can understand, he'd probably lose a lot more, what with being sacked as that is what the boss of CVC reckons would happen if he's found guilty. The £20m in effect buys off the finding. So what's not to like?

Also, the revelations stop as well as there is no more evidence.

[johnfm]

Derek Smith said:

longshot said:

Perhaps I've got this wrong but are you saying that he is offering to buy himself out of the st and they are considering it?

Let's make this clear: I'm saying that this is what The Times is saying.

£20m? If he is found guilty then from what I can understand, he'd probably lose a lot more, what with being sacked as that is what the boss of CVC reckons would happen if he's found guilty. The £20m in effect buys off the finding. So what's not to like?

Also, the revelations stop as well as there is no more evidence.

How nice of the German courts to be able to negotiate out of a criminal offence. Surely, the case shoud proceed and then Bernie can negotiate the fine IF found guilty.

[tobinen]

Worth a read too: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/the-late...

[Derek Smith]

tobinen said:

Worth a read too: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/the-late...

The final paragraph reads as a criticism of everything Ecclestone:

If other sports can make corporate management work, there is no reason why F1 cannot. It merely requires some owners who see the value in not always going for the fast buck, people who want profits but are willing to invest to build a stronger business. It needs competitors who are reasonable and fair and a management that is enlightened and open to new ideas.

[Jasandjules]

I find it tragic that it is even possible to "buy your way out" of a criminal prosecution.

[longshot]

Jasandjules said:

I find it tragic that it is even possible to "buy your way out" of a criminal prosecution.

This is what I find it hard to fathom.

If you are accused of a crime, you should go to court.
If you are found guilty then you pay the penalty.

If I got caught speeding and offered the court money to lose my points I'd get properly fked.

[thegreenhell]

Jasandjules said:

I find it tragic that it is even possible to "buy your way out" of a criminal prosecution.

A criminal prosecution for bribery, no less. Oh, the irony.

More on the Beeb: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28547377

[longshot]

Perhaps he's told them that the German GP is under threat.

[greygoose]

Jasandjules said:

I find it tragic that it is even possible to "buy your way out" of a criminal prosecution.

It happens everywhere, Ken Dodd could afford George Carman and was found not guilty.

[deadslow]

Why don't the teams take this possible opportunity to buy out CVC (they must want rid, at the right price)and own their sport?

[Tony2or4]

If that is how German law works, I wonder why Ecclestone's mate Gribowski didn't buy his way out of prosecution as well, instead of ending up in prison.

[sparkyhx]

WTF - the cheating lying dwarf (allegedly) has bought his way out. What kind of 3rd word justice system are they running in Germany.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28656050

Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 5th August 15:54

[Esseesse]

sparkyhx said:

WTF - the cheating lying dwarf (allegedly) has bought his way out. What kind of 3rd word justice system are they running in Germany.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28656050

Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 5th August 15:54

As dislikeable a person as he appears to be, personally I'm quite fond of Bernie and hearing about what cheating lying dwarf antics he's up to.

[Derek Smith]

Esseesse said:

As dislikeable a person as he appears to be, personally I'm quite fond of Bernie and hearing about what cheating lying dwarf antics he's up to.

Sod him as a person. It's what he's done to F1 that makes him impossible to like.

Not to mention that, now CVC are unable to sack him, what he will do in the future.

[anonymous-user]

Derek Smith said:

Esseesse said:

As dislikeable a person as he appears to be, personally I'm quite fond of Bernie and hearing about what cheating lying dwarf antics he's up to.

Sod him as a person. It's what he's done to F1 that makes him impossible to like.

.

Can't agree. He is just as dislikable as a person as he is for what he's done to F1. Having said that unless he pops his clogs soon, he is likely to fk it up irretrievably.

Seeing him on the news just now, one just can't avoid the word 'dementia' coming to mind.