The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorized the prosecution of 11 individuals. The case concerns the provision of gambling services in Turkey between 2011 and 2018. This includes former senior figures at the gambling group that owns Ladbrokes and Coral, Entain. The charges cover a variety of serious offenses. These include bribery, conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading, tax evasion, and perverting the course of justice.
According to the CPS, the case follows a long-running investigation led by HMRC or HM Revenue and Customs. For October 6 of the current year, a first hearing is scheduled at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS, Hannah von Dadelszen, announces the decision on Thursday. She said the Crown Prosecution Service has authorized the prosecution of 11 individuals for seven offenses. These include bribery, conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax, acting as a director while undischarged bankrupt, and perverting the course of justice.
These offenses relate to the provision of gambling services in Turkey between 2011 and 2018.
She added that prosecutors worked closely with HM Revenue and Customs officers, who carried out the investigation.
The Prosecutor said the Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that criminal proceedings against the defendants are active and that they have the right to a fair trial. She stressed that no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online should prejudice the proceedings.
Director of Fraud Investigation Service of HMRC, Richard Las, stressed the gravity of the charges, said that this has been a complex and international investigation. These are serious charges that relate to conspiracy to defraud, bribery, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax and perverting the course of justice, among others.
They remind everyone that proceedings are now active and they won’t be adding anything further.
