Bernie Ecclestone indicted

[BtccLee]

Is there a formal date for the verdict to be given? It's clearly going to be massive if the outcome goes against him, CVC will surely have issues too...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Bernie to stand trial.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112147

[Casper]

Is it possible to acquire dementia in a few months? If anyone can do it BE will. He has never been in the position where he did not hold the upper hand or knew how to control things if needed but this will be a new experience for him.

[Knowlesy]

So he is standing down as director of the holding company now. Hmm...

[marcel82]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112156

well done.

[davyboy]

According to this Autosport article

" Bernie Ecclestone will step down as a director of Formula 1's management board, but he will continue running the sport. "

... I guess this means that the possibility of holding concord meetings in a prison can't yet be ruled out

[andy666]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/25749464 , trying to gain favour with the German's ?

[Paradise City]

He might flee to Bahrain and run things from a secluded high rise in Manama.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by davyboy

According to this Autosport article

" Bernie Ecclestone will step down as a director of Formula 1's management board, but he will continue running the sport. "

... I guess this means that the possibility of holding concord meetings in a prison can't yet be ruled out

Why has this thought suddenly sprung into my mind:
"It's funny, but I've never seen Bernie and Mr Bridger (from The Italian Job) in the same room."?

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

Why has this thought suddenly sprung into my mind:
"It's funny, but I've never seen Bernie and Mr Bridger (from The Italian Job) in the same room."?

Nice one

The bit I read that is most significant is where the manufacturers, or certainly some big corporates are prohibited from doing business with entities that have been indicted because of their corporate structures etc?

If that is the case then either Bernie has to go or F1 risks losing a lot of serious entries and sponsors. Is that right?

[BtccLee]

I have some questions, as I don't fully understand all the principles at play here:

1: Who is presently running the sport ( as in at this second) 2: How will it affect the sport at this point? 3: How long is the case likely to take? 4: Is there a likely verdict? 5: Who will replace BE, if he is replaced? 6: Good or Bad news? and what chance does Ross Brawn have of getting the job?

[Tucky]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

I have some questions, as I don't fully understand all the principles at play here:

1: Who is presently running the sport ( as in at this second) 2: How will it affect the sport at this point? 3: How long is the case likely to take? 4: Is there a likely verdict? 5: Who will replace BE, if he is replaced? 6: Good or Bad news? and what chance does Ross Brawn have of getting the job?

I can only answer the first couple of points.

CVC own F1 and Bernie runs it on their behalf as an "employee". From what I understand of the reports coming out, Bernie will still continue running F1, but the signing off of major contracts will be done by the chairman of CVC instead. In reality, Bernie stepping down is only a formality at the moment and won't change anything, but if he does lose the case then CVC may look at replacing Bernie, and I have absolutely no idea who they would choose.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by davyboy

According to this Autosport article

" Bernie Ecclestone will step down as a director of Formula 1's management board, but he will continue running the sport. "

... I guess this means that the possibility of holding concord meetings in a prison can't yet be ruled out

Images of Harry Grout's cell keep running through my mind and I can't explain why either

[Adam43]

Or Mr Bridger's.

Whatever CVC continue to run F1's commercial side. Triple points anyone?

[BtccLee]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Or Mr Bridger's.

Whatever CVC continue to run F1's commercial side. Triple points anyone?

CVC may run it but Bernie's influence was the biggest. Things will change, a lot will change. And I believe it will be for the better of the sport...

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by BtccLee

CVC may run it but Bernie's influence was the biggest. Things will change, a lot will change. And I believe it will be for the better of the sport...

I certainly hope so.

[GORDON STREETER]

Is Bernie's "teflon" wearing off at last ?

[paddy]

Originally Posted by GORDON STREETER

Is Bernie's "teflon" wearing off at last ?

Everyone's wears off eventually. Look at all the sexual assault and rape cases against TV stars at the moment. If you commit offences or make enemies it usually comes back to bite you and once the momentum starts it's hard to stop.

[Rudernst]

BE will have to stand trial, I never doubted that.

It is a rare occurence in Germany that a judge does not open trial according to charges brought forward by the state attourney.
What does happen from time to time is that not all points off the charges will by taken up.
Especially when the German state (as owner of the bank) is the victim judges like to look into it.

My personal opinion is that BE will be convicted, not in all counts but enough.
He will appeal, of course
he will lose that appeal

this will take years

then he will argue - successfully - that he is too old and of ill health to actually go to jail
he might even delay the Trial by plaing ill

but: very interesting
German law allows the state to seize assets that have been gained by Profit of criminal activity
seize as in very means Little Appeal after a conviction

R.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Rudernst

BE will have to stand trial, I never doubted that.

It is a rare occurence in Germany that a judge does not open trial according to charges brought forward by the state attourney.
What does happen from time to time is that not all points off the charges will by taken up.
Especially when the German state (as owner of the bank) is the victim judges like to look into it.

My personal opinion is that BE will be convicted, not in all counts but enough.
He will appeal, of course
he will lose that appeal

this will take years

then he will argue - successfully - that he is too old and of ill health to actually go to jail
he might even delay the Trial by plaing ill

but: very interesting
German law allows the state to seize assets that have been gained by Profit of criminal activity
seize as in very means Little Appeal after a conviction

R.

If it boils down to assets being seized, then surely it has to be proven in a court of law they have been gained by profit of criminal activity, meanwhile the case drags on and Bernie can still enjoying his assets until he shuffles off this mortal coil.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

If it boils down to assets being seized, then surely it has to be proven in a court of law they have been gained by profit of criminal activity, meanwhile the case drags on and Bernie can still enjoying his assets until he shuffles off this mortal coil.

He might fake his own death and go to live with Colin Chapman & Lord Lucan in Brazil!

[GORDON STREETER]

I wonder if he is convicted how many others will be implicated afterwards, lets face it very few people have amassed a vast fortune and been "squeaky clean" in big business !

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by VIVA GT

He might fake his own death and go to live with Colin Chapman & Lord Lucan in Brazil!

Is Colin Chapman still alive?

[wolfhound]

If Bernie was convicted I wonder could the FIA claim back the rights of the commercial side of F1 as it could be considered bringing F1 into disrepute or some other clause?

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Is Colin Chapman still alive?

The not so serious assumption was that when the FIA faxed out new rules there was a random Brazilian fax number.