Accountant and Former JJB CEO Charged in £1m Fraud

A former JJB Sports chief executive and the accountant of a supplier to the retailer have been charged in connection with a possible £1m fraud scam.

Christopher Ronnie, 50 and David Patrick Ball, 51 appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in response to a summons relating to fraudulent contracts entered into by JJB in 2008.

Ronnie, chief executive of JJB between August 2007 and March 2009 was charged with two money laundering offences, two offences of furnishing false information contrary to the Theft Act 1968 and three Fraud Act offences for failing to disclose interests in contracts entered into by the company.

Ball, an accountant and joint beneficial owner of Fashion & Sport Limited, a supplier to JJB was charged with three offences of furnishing false information contrary to the Theft Act 1968.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was referred the case by the Office of Fair Trading in 2009 and began investigating JJB and Sports Direct International in regards to fraudulent activity.

SFO announced in October 2010 that the investigation into two sports retailers had been completed and that no charges would be brought against the companies but noted that the investigation into individuals continued.

Both defendants were released with unconditional bail, while investigations into possible offences committed by other suspects are ongoing.