It's a joke. The rich can commit crimes and not even get convicted.

Seems as though the prosecution are struggling with their case. The law allows them to fine. So it seems they are being pragmatic.

Utter bollox. If there is a realistic prospect of conviction, crack on, if there isn't, drop the case. Pragmatism is not a relevant issue as the only result the prosecution SHOULD want is a conviction for a crime committed. It's not a fscking cash-generating exercise. Except in Germany it seemingly now is.

Ecclestone is lucky he's not a politician.

His new missus though.

God how did he pull her

1.Good looks?
2.Youthful physique?
3 Commanding stature?
4. Being a billionaire?

Can I go 50/50 or phone a friend ?

I'm personally going to go for number 2

You mean apart from Bernie Madoff, Phil Spector, Berlusconi etc etc and the countless other rich people who've committed crimes and been convicted?

Don't be deliberately stupid.

Do you have a point there somewhere trying to get out, or is it just that your head can't compute the fact that a wealthy defendant has paid $100m to avoid prosecution, possible conviction and jail time?

PS Berlusconi has got off. You need to try to keep up.

Hey, I'm not the one making sweeping generalisations on nothing more than "WAAAAAAHHHHHH....rich people".

He's paid that dosh as a settlement, it happens all the time, plea bargains etc etc. Plus it's a perfectly legal stance in German law. So, should a countries laws only apply to the poor downtrodden masses but if you've a few quid then it's a kangaroo court for you?

Sorry, what was I thinking

"WAAAAAHHHHH....rich people"

As I thought.

Ecclestone only paid the $100m because Germany wouldn't let him become a politician and change the laws to evade prosecution, like Berlusconi did.

I think Ecclestone is a shady character who broke the law to get things done. He cut some corners so that rather than having legal "partnerships" he simply paid bribes to get his deals done. I don't like the fact he was able to pay a second massive bribe to negate the first bribe, but IMO the fine was the most *just* settlement that could be reached and the best for Germany. The alternative, of Ecclestone spending a year in prison or even walking free with a not guilty verdict, would have been a joke.

Berlusconi is so bent I think he's a shape shifter from Star Trek. Ecclestone is Mother Theresa next to Berlusconi.

You can think?

No, justice should be applied equally to all, no matter what their personal wealth may be. The fact that the German legal system allows someone to pay a bung to walk free, cannot be compared to justice.

If in doubt, ask the poor sap who took the original bung from Ecclestone. A poor sap because he didn't have the financial wherewithal to make the charges disappear and is now serving 6 years at the Chancellor's pleasure.

Curtis Warren is doing 10 years for not handing over £198m.

You're confused. He was facing criminal charges. "Settlements" relate to civil law disputes.


Plea bargains are completely different. Basically, the deal is, "I will plead guilty to X if you drop Y". A conviction and punishment for a crime results.


Etc etc? What etc?


We know. There are some strange things happening in the Caliphate just now that are all perfectly legal under the flavour of Sharia being enforced. Does that mean it is right?


Great job of getting something completely arrse about face. Nobody but the rare likes of Ecclestone could pay $100m to dodge the bullet. It is an aspect of German law, which, like the Berlin Hilton, is open to all.


I don't actually know, and suspect you don't either.

But no conviction and punishment for crime Y. It's almost like a settlement. In fact no, it's exactly like a settlement.

Are you being deliberately obtuse or are you incapable of comprehension?

Well I suppose someone has to spell it out so you can comprehend. He's bought off ALL criminal charges. In his case there is no X never mind no Y. It is therefore nothing like a plea bargain (which was your original contention).

Are you really as stupid as you come across? Don't answer that, you will probably blame being educated under a Labour government.

And it cost him £60m for the privilege, it's almost like both sides weighed up the potential costs and time that may be involved and reached an agreement. Being charged doesn't mean that you'll be found guilty. You should write to the Germans and give them the hard evidence you clearly have that will convict Labour donor Ecclestone and get a few more quid into the deal too.



Who knows, but I know for a fact that I'm not as stupid as thinking that labelling a "minority" as "Token" is acceptable and not at all racist. Plus as I sit with 20 year olds who are also studying their degrees I wonder what sort of education made them think that to get the total of 37 x 43 you do 30 x 40 plus 7 x 3. Perhaps my teachers and parents were just more intelligent than the poor sods today.

Blacon's still churning out mouth breathers.

... and THAT'S the PRECISE POINT everyone's trying to get through your thick skull. I for one give up. I even suspect you're doing it on purpose.