Bernie in real danger this time?

[Mezzer]

Some interesting quotes in this Sky Sports article, Bernie: "[CVC] will probably be forced to get rid of me if the Germans come after me. It's pretty obvious, if I'm locked up," he said. "They said they had hired a head-hunter to find somebody in the event that I was not going to be there - if I was going to die or something," he added. It is the normal thing they do to keep people happy."

I don't see any way Bernie's not going to face real trouble on this one, his "Yeah I gave him a big bag of cash but in no way was that a bribe oh no" explanation doesn't seem to stand up to too much scrutiny.

Is this finally the beginning of the end for a man who's worked hard to make everyone think that he's absolutely indispensable?

 

[Galahad]

I can't prejudge the German judiciary but on paper, it doesn't look good. Then again, it is Bernie we're talking about. He's a survivor.

 

[Mephistopheles]

He has money and money buys clout do not be deceived he will squirm his way out of this one simply by the size of his wallet...

 

[FB]

A little off topic, but just to prove that money doesn't always buy you a way out of jail, here's Forbes list of the 10 wealthiest people in prison. Admittedly two are Russian so you have to a) question how they got so rich and b) wonder if the reason they are in prison are completely genuine.

http://en.rian.ru/photolents/20100601/159235564.html

 

[Mephistopheles]

I don't think that is off topic at all FB I should add that money and an high profile is necessary to keep you safe....

 

[siffert_fan]

I don't think that is off topic at all FB I should add that money and an high profile is necessary to keep you safe....

While I agree that money does, to some degree, keep you safe (it buys the best lawyers), most of the time I think a LOW profile is better for keeping you safe (it makes you less of a target).

In this case, I truly believe that Bernie is due for a comeuppance, and an ouster from the sport, perhaps for "bringing the sport into disrepute". Wouldn't THAT be wonderfully ironic?

 

[canis]

Hmmm, so in effect Bernie either faces prison time for a bribe in German, or they accept his explanation (I gave him the money as he was blackmailing me and threatening to report me to the tax man in the UK) and he ends up being done for tax evasion by HMRC?

Any bets on which south american country he becomes resident of in the next year?

 

[Greenlantern101]

He will be fine. He always is.

 

[Jen]

Everyone hits the barriers at least once in their life - maybe it's Bernie's time. I just hope there is someone already in place to take over.

 

[Mezzer]

Greenlantern101 I think the issue with people like Bernie is that they're fine right up until they're not, then they collapse into an untidy heap.

 

[FB]

Maybe I should brush up my CV and send it off to CVC, how difficult a job can it be?

 

[Greenlantern101]

Mezzer I hope he is forced to stand down for one reason or another. He has done good things but it is time to move on and has been for some time.

 

[GeoffP]

Greenlantern101, have you not seen the man? That's as much down as you can get without knee callouses!

 

[racecub]

If Bernie gave that banker man money to keep quiet about his tax evasion, isn that a bribe?

 

[FB]

That's for the court to decide racecub

 

[The Pits]

Trial by jury - the process by which 12 people get to decide who has the best lawyer.

 

[tooncheese]

Knowing Bernie's luck he'll die the day before the trial. Either him or the whole jury.

 

[MCLS]

He'll find a way, he always does!

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Very early report indicating Bernie may be charged in bribery case?

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/05/15/13/f1-boss-ecclestone-facing-bribery-charges-report

 

[RickD]

He won't go to prison for it. If he had done it in America, he'd be screwed, but think he'll get away with it in Germany.