Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has been handed a three-and-a-half year jail sentence by a German Court after he was found guilty for Tax Evasion.
Hoeness was initially charged with evading $4.9 million (U.S.) in taxes, but later admitted to avoiding an additional $20.9 million. The court ultimately determined the 62-year-old owed a grand total of $39,940,000 (U.S.).
Hoeness’ defense was that he should not be punished because he came clean on his evasions. However, the court disagreed, and found that the former German World Cup winning striker’s admissions were still not a a full disclosure of his tax issues. Hoeness had evaded the taxes by funneling funds through an undisclosed Swiss bank account.
“The voluntary disclosure is not valid with the documents that were presented alone,” the judge said Thursday. Hoeness was found guilty of seven counts of tax evasion.
Hoeness said in a brief statement on Bayern’s website that he decided after talking with his family to accept the verdict, and would not be launching the appeal that many analysts expected.
“This corresponds with my personal understanding of decency, attitude and personal responsibility,” he wrote. “Tax evasion was the mistake of my life. I am facing up to the consequences of this mistake.”
Hoeness also resigned his position as president of the German club, and defending Bundesliga and Champions League winners saying he wanted, “to prevent damage to my club.”
“Bayern Munich is my life’s work and it will always remain so,” he said. “I will remain linked with this great club and its people in other ways as long as I live.”
Hoeness had offered his resignation at Bayern during last year’s annual meeting but the popular figure received backing from both supporters and the board to press on as club president through the trial.
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