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F1 News - Witness backs Ecclestone's blackmail claim - report - October, 2011 |
Oct.10 (GMM) A witness in the forthcoming trial of former F1 banker Gerhard Gribkowsky reportedly supports Bernie Ecclestone's claims. The F1 chief executive insists he only paid millions to jailed Gribkowsky amid the sale of the sport's commercial rights some years ago because he was effectively blackmailed.But Ecclestone, 80, has reportedly remained under investigation by the Munich prosecutors as some paddock regulars wonder how the indefatigable Briton could ever be blackmailed and for such a huge amount of money.Der Spiegel news magazine, however, will report on Monday that a female former colleague provided Gribkowsky with a document showing Ecclestone's links with Bambino, his offshore family trust.Ecclestone, to appear as a witness at the trial, had claimed in July that Gribkowsky "threatened that he was going to say that I was running it (the trust)"."He was shaking me down and I didn't want to take a risk," he added.Spiegel claims Ecclestone's explanation is backed by the female witness who told investigators that she showed Gribkowsky the offending document in 2004."I was scared," the report quotes Ecclestone as telling investigators, who have reportedly not found the document. Gribkowsky denies its existence.F1 News F1 Schedule F1 Line-up Constructors' Championship Drivers' Championship F1 Tickets Live F1 Coverage Full Version: Formula 1 News Formula 1 Schedule Formula 1 Line-up Constructors' Championship Drivers' Championship Live F1 Coverage 10 'n' Pole F1 Regulations The Forums Motorsport Shop F1 Merchandise F1 Tickets F1 Diecast F1 Videos F1 Games Back To Top |