Ex-JJB chief Ronnie charged by SFO
CHRIS Ronnie, the former chief executive of JJB Sports, has been charged with fraud, theft and money-laundering.
He appeared in court yesterday in response to a summons in connection with an alleged £1m fraud relating to contracts entered into by JJB Sports in 2008, the Serious Fraud Office said.
Mr Ronnie, 50, from Wilmslow, ran the Wigan-based company between 2007 and early 2009.
The former professional squash player appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London yesterday.
He has been charged along with a former supplier to the company, 51-year-old David Patrick Ball.
Mr Ronnie was charged with: Three Fraud Act offences in relation to failure to disclose interests in contracts entered into by the company; two money laundering offences and two offences of furnishing false information contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968.
Mr Ball, an accountant and joint owner of Fashion & Sport Ltd, a London-based supplier to JJB, is charged with three offences of furnishing false information, contrary to Section 17(1)(b) of the Theft Act.
Both defendants were released on unconditional bail, the SFO said.
It added: “Investigations into possible offences committed by other suspects are ongoing.”
In a statement, Mr Ronnie’s solicitor, Anthony Barnfather, a partner at Manchester law firm Pannone, said: “Mr Ronnie has fully co-operated with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation and is surprised and disappointed at the decision.
“He strenuously denies the charges, has always maintained his innocence, and is confident his position will be vindicated in due course.”
The case was referred to the Serious Fraud Office by the Office of Fair Trading and accepted for investigation in August 2009.
In September of that year it was announced that the SFO was investigating the activities of JJB and rival Sports Direct International in respect of potential Fraud Act and Enterprise Act offences.
In October 2010, the SFO said its investigation into JJB and Sports Direct had been completed and that no charges would be brought against the companies.
