CHAMPION HURDLE winning owner Kenny Alexander has been charged with bribery and conspiracy to defraud as part of an international HMRC investigation.
The Scot, 56, was the CEO of Ladbrokes and Coral for 13 years and is one of 11 individuals charged by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Hannah von Dadelszen, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the prosecution of 11 individuals for seven offences relating to bribery, conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax, acting as a director of a company when undischarged bankrupt and perverting the course of justice.”
HMRC launched an investigation into the Turkey-facing business of GVC Holdings, which was formerly the parent company of Ladbrokes and Coral before they rebranded as Entain, after they suspected they had breached the Bribery Act.
Von Dadelszen continued: “These offences relate to the provision of gambling services in Turkey between 2011 and 2018. Our prosecutors have worked closely with officers of HM Revenue and Customs who have carried out the investigation.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Richard Las, HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service Director, added: “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.
“We remind everyone that proceedings are now active and we won’t be adding anything further.”
The first hearing in the case will be heard at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on October 6.
Alexander’s famous sky blue and white colours have been carried to victory in several big races during his time as an owner.
He enjoyed incredible success with the iconic dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle, who won four times at the Cheltenham Festival in total.
He also had two winners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, with Nicky Henderson’s Doddiethegreat in the Pertemps Final and Willie Mullins’ Kargese in the County Hurdle.