Boris Becker, accused of using a professional account as his personal “piggy bank”

The German Boris Becker used his professional bank account as a personal “piggy bank” with which to pay luxury purchases and schooling expenses for his children, the British prosecutor's office denounced Tuesday in a trial linked to the bankruptcy of the tennis player.

Becker, the winner of six Grand Slam titles, is charged with 24 counts of concealment of assets when in 2017 he declared bankruptcy linked to a 3.5 million euro ($4.6 million) loan granted by the private bank Arbuthnot Latham to finance a property in Mallorca.

The 54-year-old former world number one is suspected of hiding 1.13 million euros from the sale of a Mercedes dealer, which he owned in Germany, deposited into the bank account of his limited company Boris Becker Private Office (BBPOL).

According to the prosecution, “Becker used the BBPOL account as an extension of her own account, such as her personal piggy bank, for everyday expenses such as her children's school expenses,” said prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley.

Payments made in 2017 included £643 to Polo Ralph Lauren, £7,600 for school expenses and £976 at London's luxury store Harrods.

He also made important transfers to his ex-wife Barbara Becker and his wife Lilly Becker, from whom he is separated.

He also allegedly transferred 300,000 euros to his own personal account and other funds to an account he had together with his son Noah.

The tennis player and now sports commentator is also accused of refusing to hand over assets to his creditors, including his 1985 and 1989 Wimbledon trophies and the 1991 and 1996 Australian Open.

He is also charged with not declaring two properties in Germany and one apartment in London and having concealed a loan of 825,000 euros.

Becker, who won 49 titles during his 16-year career, denied all charges. The trial, which began on Monday in London, should last about three weeks.

SMG-ACC/DR