Boris Becker could face a prison sentence after he was found guilty of hiding assets after he had declared bankruptcy.
A jury at London’s Southwark Crown Court convicted Becker on four charges under the Insolvency Act, including removal of property, concealing debt and two counts of failing to disclose estate assets.
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Becker, who declared bankruptcy in Junne 2017, was found to have transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds from his business account to other accounts, including those of his ex-wife Barbara and estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker.
He was also convicted of failing to declare a property in Germany and hiding an 825,000 euro bank loan and shares in a tech firm.
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He was acquitted on 20 other counts, including charges that he failed to hand over his many awards, including two Wimbledon trophies and an Olympic gold medal.
The six-time Grand Slam champion had denied all the charges, saying he had cooperated with trustees tasked with securing his assets — even offering up his wedding ring — and had acted on expert advice.
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According to testimony at the trial, Becker’s bankruptcy stemmed from a 4.6 million euro loan from a private bank in 2013, as well as about $1.6 million borrowed from a British businessman the year after.
The 54-year-old also said his $50 million career earnings had been swallowed up by payments for an “expensive divorce” and debts when he lost large chunks of his income after retirement.
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“[It is] very difficult when you are bankrupt and in the headlines every week for it,” he told the jury. “[It is] very difficult to make a lot of money with my name.”
The charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. Becker was granted bail until a sentencing hearing on April 29.
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