Ex-JJB Sports chief executive Chris Ronnie has been charged with an alleged £1 million fraud, which relates to contracts entered into by the retailer in 2008.
Ronnie, who was chief executive between August 2007 and March 2009, has been charged with three Fraud Act offices 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 the Theft Act 1968.
He appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (April 4) alongside David Ball, joint owner of JJB supplier Fashion & Sport Limited.
Ball has been charged with three offences of furnishing false information contrary to the Theft Act 1968.
Both defendants were released on unconditional bail.
The case was referred to the Serious Fraud Office by the Office of Fair Trading and accepted for investigation in August 2009.
On September 10, 2009 the SFO began investigating the activities of JJB and rival Sports Direct in respect of potential Fraud Act and Enterprise Act offences.
On October 19, 2010 it was announced that the SFO investigation into JJB and Sports Direct had been completed and that no charges would be brought against the companies.
It was noted that the investigation into individuals continued.
Investigations into possible offences committed by other suspects are ongoing.
