MUNICH (AP) — Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone is back in court, testifying in the trial of a German bank executive charged with bribery in connection with the 2006 sale of the bank’s stake in the racing series.
Ecclestone was being questioned again Thursday after telling the Munich court Wednesday he made payments to the executive Gerhard Gribkowsky. He testified he felt pressured to because he was worried Gribkowsky would report him to British tax authorities for “things” that would cost him dearly, the dapd news agency reported.
Ecclestone, 81 years old, has not been charged himself in the case, and has previously expressed confidence he will be exonerated of any wrongdoing.
Gribkowsky is accused of taking $44 million in payments from Ecclestone and faces a possible 10 years in prison if convicted.
