WTF? Bernie bribes his way out of bribery case?

WTF? Bernie bribes his way out of bribery case?

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Some Gump

Original Poster:

12,671 posts

185 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
Is it me, or is that just a bit daft?

Apparently, bernie has reached a100m USD settlement to make his bribery trial go away.

So, he's been taken to court by Munich, i.e the state entity, under accusation of bribing a banker. The case isn't being brought by the bank as damages, rather it's the state saying "you bribed that guy, bribery is illegal, go to jail".

Now, (as far as i can tell from the reports thus far), bernie has not been proven innocent, rather he's agreed to end the trial in return for 100m to Munich. In my book, that is payng money to someone in return for the outcome you want - kind of like a bribe. Surely if he was innocent, he'd argue his case? 100m is a lot of money after all.

So, can you bribe a state body to attone for bribery, or did i get the wrong end of the stick?

longshot

3,286 posts

197 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
It does seem that there are several levels of justice.

RYH64E

7,960 posts

243 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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Consider it a very large fine, the same kind of thing that banks get quite regularly. Probably the best solution all round, there's little point in sending him to prison, imo.

Derek Smith

45,512 posts

247 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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RYH64E said:
Consider it a very large fine, the same kind of thing that banks get quite regularly. Probably the best solution all round, there's little point in sending him to prison, imo.
But not from our point of view. Had he been convicted he would have been excluded from F1 control. Now, with Reuters reporting $100m http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/01/germany-... agreed payment Ecclestone will be able to counter his probable loss of earnings against it.

But it is the law. Contrary to received wisdom, the sculpture of Justice atop the Old Bailey is not blindfolded.

He would not have gone to prison had he been found guilty.

It's the rich that gets the pleasure . . .

(Although to be fair, Ecclestone comes from 'umble stock.)

Edited by Derek Smith on Sunday 3rd August 13:39

longshot

3,286 posts

197 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
RYH64E said:
Consider it a very large fine, the same kind of thing that banks get quite regularly. Probably the best solution all round, there's little point in sending him to prison, imo.
The point of sending him to prison if nothing else is to to show justice being done.
If he has broken the law he belongs inside.

If you bribed someone, would you have the opportunity to negotiate a settlement?

What sort of message does this send out to joe public?

What sort of message does this send out the all the scum bags out there?

What sort of message does this send out to all the kids that have been taught to grow up to be a good, honest person and to obey the law?

It does seem to confirm what we all suspect doesn't it.

Chrisgr31

13,440 posts

254 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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Whilst there is no doubt that Bernie has done a lot of good for F1 (and himself) it does remarkable that you can pay off charges like this. One could consider it as a fine, but a fine would usually come with a guilty please or conclusion.

Incidentally as F1 was apparently owned by a trust in his ex-wife childrens name, where does the money to pay this come from?

tali1

5,265 posts

200 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
China is supposed to be corrupt yet they executed 14 yuan billionaires (at least 155mill) in 8 yrs.
(Okay, execution in not a good example but you would have thought it was a good place for the super rich to avoid punishment)
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-23/china-...

StottyEvo

6,860 posts

162 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
tali1 said:
China is supposed to be corrupt yet they executed 14 yuan billionaires (at least 155mill) in 8 yrs.
(Okay, execution in not a good example but you would have thought it was a good place for the super rich to avoid punishment)
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-23/china-...
The executions may not have been carried out in the interests of justice and integrity.

Doink

1,652 posts

146 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
IMO the option of paying your way out of prison or whatever it was going to be should only be accepted IF you plead your guilt, ok you might be spared prison, you may of given some or even all of the money back but more importantly your employer and colleagues now know you were in fact guilty and can take the steps they deem nessesary otherwise wheres the punishment, effectively he's dragged this court case out, pleaded his innocence to the media at every oppurtunity and at the last minute he's folded and made the offer.......and walked away scott free

As said before, if he's made an offer of payment then he must have been guilty and was not confident of being found not guilty, this at least should cost him his position within F1

RGambo

847 posts

168 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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That's actually funny!

Some Gump

Original Poster:

12,671 posts

185 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
quotequote all
I know it's different, but it's kind of like making 100k selling drugs, then agreeing to pay a 10 grand fine and keeping the rest...

Mermaid

21,492 posts

170 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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Rolf Harris has only 11 million in the bank - if he had 11 billion?

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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longshot said:
It does seem that there are several levels of justice.
Yes.

Poor? You are f***ed.

Rich? Do what you like and pay the fine.


Newscuttlepanel

126 posts

133 months

Sunday 3rd August 2014
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Annoying, and probably deeply unjust, but is anyone remotely surprised the case has ended like this?

Roverload

850 posts

135 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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Amazing, if I had that kind of money I'd bribe my way out of it too!

Derek Smith

45,512 posts

247 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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Agent Orange said:
Got to love Bernie and who in his position wouldn't do the same?
Perhaps we should love those who's actions and habits haven't generated criminal cases for bribery.

This case and others he's been involved in have shown a side to his character that should, many might feel, stop him from being in charge of F1.


anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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Agent Orange said:
Wrong end of the stick. wink

It's not a bribe it's a settlement. biggrin

Big difference and perfectly legal in Germany. After all what would a long and expensive investigative trial at the expense of the German tax payer achieve? Some romantics might suggest justice but ultimately someone with a lot of money would be forced to pay another wealthy individual or company a sum of money and the German law system foots the bill for agreeing the settlement. Granted legal fees would be paid.

Got to love Bernie and who in his position wouldn't do the same?
No you don't 'got to love Bernie'. I for one have nothing but contempt for him and his cronies.

The fact that it is possible for wealthy crooks and the corrupt to avoid justice is just another sad reflection on the justice systems that we all endure in this day and age.

Agent Orange

2,194 posts

245 months

Monday 4th August 2014
quotequote all
Derek Smith said:
Perhaps we should love those who's actions and habits haven't generated criminal cases for bribery.

This case and others he's been involved in have shown a side to his character that should, many might feel, stop him from being in charge of F1.
Bribery? Sorry don't buy it. Bribery is rife within the UK legal system and perfectly acceptable. Large DIY chain wants to build somewhere. Sure say council build us that road we don't have the money for and a couple roundabouts too. Large corporate wants to build HQ. sure says council and whilst we appreciate to extra 1000 jobs can you build a leisure centre for us?

As for him being in charge of F1 who else would you suggest? The teams were offered it twice in the past and refused. The FIA? They don't have the commercial acumen.

REALIST123 said:
The fact that it is possible for wealthy crooks and the corrupt to avoid justice is just another sad reflection on the justice systems that we all endure in this day and age.
Has always been the case whether today or 1000 years ago.

Eric Mc

121,770 posts

264 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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Agent Orange said:
Has always been the case whether today or 1000 years ago.
That makes it OK?

lamboman100

1,445 posts

120 months

Monday 4th August 2014
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The Germans know they may not hang onto the German Grand Prix if they mess with Bernie wink