Bernie Ecclestone will stand trial on bribery charges in Munich, according to a statement from a German court, and the Formula 1 supremo is keen to prove his innocence.
“Under current planning, the main trial should start in late April,” the Munich court said in a statement on Thursday.
Ecclestone, 83, was charged in July with bribing a German banker to smooth the sale of a stake in the motor racing business to private equity firm CVC eight years ago.
Ecclestone has denied wrongdoing and told Handelsblatt that he will fight to clear his name, “I’m sure there will be (a trial). There are already charges.”
“I would (appear), probably because I have no choice, but I like Munich, it’s a beautiful city,” Ecclestone quipped. “It’s really too early to think about it.”
“With the Constantin testimony I was out of the office for four days, but I could still work in the late afternoon and evening.”
Ecclestone said he could have “easily” settled that lawsuit, and he also ruled out settling with BayernLB in a forthcoming action.
“But that would be wrong,” he said, “because I have not done anything wrong. My concern is to prove my innocence.” (GMM-Reuters)
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