Tennis star Boris Becker jailed over bankruptcy dishonesty
Boris Becker, the former tennis champion, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison after being found
guilty of willfully disobeying the terms of his bankruptcy agreement.
Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion and two-time Australian Open champion, was accused of "deliberately and dishonestly" putting funds out of creditors' reach.
Becker, who was declared bankrupt in 2017 with debts of more than 40 million pounds ($70.5 million), previously stated that his career earnings, as well as "expensive lifestyle obligations," were depleted during his divorce.
Becker's career and reputation have been ruined, according to London Judge Deborah Taylor.
The punishment brings to a close a stunning fall from grace for the former world number one and youngest ever winner of the men's singles at Wimbledon.
Becker, 54, was found guilty of four counts by a London jury, including removing hundreds of thousands of euros from business accounts and concealing a bank loan from the bankruptcy estate. It was referred to as a "breach of trust" by prosecutors.
According to Becker's counsel, the tennis player was acquitted on the vast majority of charges. The monies were transferred to cover child support obligations as well as his living expenses.
Jonathan Laidlaw had requested a two-year suspended sentence, claiming that there was no proof of fraud or sophisticated financial planning. Becker's "financial affairs were a shambles and a jumble."
"Boris Becker possesses nothing. And there's nothing to show for what was once the most illustrious of sporting careers," Laidlaw said, describing it as the "publicest of humiliations."
Becker has three Wimbledon titles, two Australian Opens, and one US Open to his credit.