WTF? Bernie bribes his way out of bribery case?
Discussion
Is it me, or is that just a bit daft?
Apparently, bernie has reached a100m USD settlement to make his bribery trial go away.
So, he's been taken to court by Munich, i.e the state entity, under accusation of bribing a banker. The case isn't being brought by the bank as damages, rather it's the state saying "you bribed that guy, bribery is illegal, go to jail".
Now, (as far as i can tell from the reports thus far), bernie has not been proven innocent, rather he's agreed to end the trial in return for 100m to Munich. In my book, that is payng money to someone in return for the outcome you want - kind of like a bribe. Surely if he was innocent, he'd argue his case? 100m is a lot of money after all.
So, can you bribe a state body to attone for bribery, or did i get the wrong end of the stick?
Apparently, bernie has reached a100m USD settlement to make his bribery trial go away.
So, he's been taken to court by Munich, i.e the state entity, under accusation of bribing a banker. The case isn't being brought by the bank as damages, rather it's the state saying "you bribed that guy, bribery is illegal, go to jail".
Now, (as far as i can tell from the reports thus far), bernie has not been proven innocent, rather he's agreed to end the trial in return for 100m to Munich. In my book, that is payng money to someone in return for the outcome you want - kind of like a bribe. Surely if he was innocent, he'd argue his case? 100m is a lot of money after all.
So, can you bribe a state body to attone for bribery, or did i get the wrong end of the stick?
RYH64E said:
Consider it a very large fine, the same kind of thing that banks get quite regularly. Probably the best solution all round, there's little point in sending him to prison, imo.
But not from our point of view. Had he been convicted he would have been excluded from F1 control. Now, with Reuters reporting $100m http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/01/germany-... agreed payment Ecclestone will be able to counter his probable loss of earnings against it.But it is the law. Contrary to received wisdom, the sculpture of Justice atop the Old Bailey is not blindfolded.
He would not have gone to prison had he been found guilty.
It's the rich that gets the pleasure . . .
(Although to be fair, Ecclestone comes from 'umble stock.)
Edited by Derek Smith on Sunday 3rd August 13:39
RYH64E said:
Consider it a very large fine, the same kind of thing that banks get quite regularly. Probably the best solution all round, there's little point in sending him to prison, imo.
The point of sending him to prison if nothing else is to to show justice being done.If he has broken the law he belongs inside.
If you bribed someone, would you have the opportunity to negotiate a settlement?
What sort of message does this send out to joe public?
What sort of message does this send out the all the scum bags out there?
What sort of message does this send out to all the kids that have been taught to grow up to be a good, honest person and to obey the law?
It does seem to confirm what we all suspect doesn't it.
Whilst there is no doubt that Bernie has done a lot of good for F1 (and himself) it does remarkable that you can pay off charges like this. One could consider it as a fine, but a fine would usually come with a guilty please or conclusion.
Incidentally as F1 was apparently owned by a trust in his ex-wife childrens name, where does the money to pay this come from?
Incidentally as F1 was apparently owned by a trust in his ex-wife childrens name, where does the money to pay this come from?
China is supposed to be corrupt yet they executed 14 yuan billionaires (at least 155mill) in 8 yrs.
(Okay, execution in not a good example but you would have thought it was a good place for the super rich to avoid punishment)
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-23/china-...
(Okay, execution in not a good example but you would have thought it was a good place for the super rich to avoid punishment)
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-23/china-...
tali1 said:
China is supposed to be corrupt yet they executed 14 yuan billionaires (at least 155mill) in 8 yrs.
(Okay, execution in not a good example but you would have thought it was a good place for the super rich to avoid punishment)
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-23/china-...
The executions may not have been carried out in the interests of justice and integrity. (Okay, execution in not a good example but you would have thought it was a good place for the super rich to avoid punishment)
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-23/china-...
IMO the option of paying your way out of prison or whatever it was going to be should only be accepted IF you plead your guilt, ok you might be spared prison, you may of given some or even all of the money back but more importantly your employer and colleagues now know you were in fact guilty and can take the steps they deem nessesary otherwise wheres the punishment, effectively he's dragged this court case out, pleaded his innocence to the media at every oppurtunity and at the last minute he's folded and made the offer.......and walked away scott free
As said before, if he's made an offer of payment then he must have been guilty and was not confident of being found not guilty, this at least should cost him his position within F1
As said before, if he's made an offer of payment then he must have been guilty and was not confident of being found not guilty, this at least should cost him his position within F1
Agent Orange said:
Got to love Bernie and who in his position wouldn't do the same?
Perhaps we should love those who's actions and habits haven't generated criminal cases for bribery.This case and others he's been involved in have shown a side to his character that should, many might feel, stop him from being in charge of F1.
Agent Orange said:
Wrong end of the stick.
It's not a bribe it's a settlement.
Big difference and perfectly legal in Germany. After all what would a long and expensive investigative trial at the expense of the German tax payer achieve? Some romantics might suggest justice but ultimately someone with a lot of money would be forced to pay another wealthy individual or company a sum of money and the German law system foots the bill for agreeing the settlement. Granted legal fees would be paid.
Got to love Bernie and who in his position wouldn't do the same?
No you don't 'got to love Bernie'. I for one have nothing but contempt for him and his cronies. It's not a bribe it's a settlement.
Big difference and perfectly legal in Germany. After all what would a long and expensive investigative trial at the expense of the German tax payer achieve? Some romantics might suggest justice but ultimately someone with a lot of money would be forced to pay another wealthy individual or company a sum of money and the German law system foots the bill for agreeing the settlement. Granted legal fees would be paid.
Got to love Bernie and who in his position wouldn't do the same?
The fact that it is possible for wealthy crooks and the corrupt to avoid justice is just another sad reflection on the justice systems that we all endure in this day and age.
Derek Smith said:
Perhaps we should love those who's actions and habits haven't generated criminal cases for bribery.
This case and others he's been involved in have shown a side to his character that should, many might feel, stop him from being in charge of F1.
Bribery? Sorry don't buy it. Bribery is rife within the UK legal system and perfectly acceptable. Large DIY chain wants to build somewhere. Sure say council build us that road we don't have the money for and a couple roundabouts too. Large corporate wants to build HQ. sure says council and whilst we appreciate to extra 1000 jobs can you build a leisure centre for us?This case and others he's been involved in have shown a side to his character that should, many might feel, stop him from being in charge of F1.
As for him being in charge of F1 who else would you suggest? The teams were offered it twice in the past and refused. The FIA? They don't have the commercial acumen.
REALIST123 said:
The fact that it is possible for wealthy crooks and the corrupt to avoid justice is just another sad reflection on the justice systems that we all endure in this day and age.
Has always been the case whether today or 1000 years ago.Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff