Gribkowsky was found guilty of corruption, tax evasion and breach of trust in
a trial led by the same judge who is hearing Ecclestone’s case, Peter Noll.
The defense made clear that it will attack Gribkowsky’s credibility, and
Ecclestone said in his statement that the banker didn’t tell the truth.
Ecclestone has said in the past that he was “shaken down”.
In Thursday’s statement, Ecclestone reiterated testimony he gave at
Gribkowsky’s trial that he gave the banker the money because he was worried
Gribkowsky would falsely accuse of him of being in charge of a trust fund
set up for the Formula One boss’s former wife and their children – possibly
incurring a huge British tax bill.
Ecclestone’s lawyers also insisted anew that their client is innocent, saying
in a written statement that “the alleged bribe has not occurred”.
They argued that the indictment is based on statements by Gribkowsky that are
“incorrect, misleading and incoherent”.
“They do not take account of the real course of events in 2005 and 2006
regarding Formula 1 and the life of Mr. Ecclestone,” the lawyers said,
adding they would produce new documents at the trial to dispute Gribkowsky’s
statements.
Ecclestone has stepped down temporarily as a director of F1’s holding company
pending the outcome of the trial, though he continues to manage the sport’s
commercial operations on behalf of investment fund CVC Capital Partners,
which has a controlling stake in the web of companies which run the
commercial side of the sport.
Ecclestone, who built his powerbase in F1 starting in the 1970s, would be
unable to remain in charge if convicted – even if he avoids a prison
sentence.