Tom Boonen reaches deal with prosecutors in Belgian tax fraud case
Tom Boonen and eight other suspects pay their taxes and a fine in order to escape prosecution in a fraud case dating back to 2013
Etixx-Quick Step rider Tom Boonen has settled with prosecutors in a legal case against him, his manager and other cyclist relating to tax fraud.
The case, which was made public in 2013, reportedly relates to the years in which Boonen lived in Monaco - which does not collect income tax - between 2005-2008 and 2010-2012.
After the case was brought, Boonen's agent Paul de Geyter said that the rider reached a deal with the tax authorities, reportedly a figure of €2m according to De Tijd, but the investigation was not over.
Boonen and the eight other suspects were due in court next Friday, but the case will now not proceed owing to the payment of the taxes to the Special Tax Inspectorate, as well as a 60 per cent fine to the public prosecutor's office. The total amount paid is not known.
De Tijd reports that Etixx-Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefevere wasn't one of the defendants who reached a settlement, although the Belgian is only being investigated for dealings with a Luxembourg company.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Is Lotte Kopecky's bog-standard Specialized Crux proof that you don't need wide tires and fancy suspension systems for gravel racing?
Kopecky finished second at Gravel Worlds on a bike with minimal modifications
By Joe Baker Published
-
Undercover Mechanic: Cyclists have become very excited about aerodynamics without a correlated excitement for pilates - the result is a lot of spacers
90% of the front area is you, not the bike; having a kamtail downtube will make sod all difference if you’re unable to reach the bars, argues CW’s Undercover Mechanic
By Undercover Mechanic Published
-
Tom Boonen considers a return to racing: 'I'm considering looking for some competition on the bike again'
After a nearly six-year break from professional cycling, the competitive cycling itch is starting to prickle again for Classics legend Tom Boonen.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl release 2022 kit from new partners Castelli
The Italian clothing brand will make the Belgian team's kit until at least 2024
By Adam Becket Published
-
Patrick Lefevere says Vuelta a España suits Evenepoel but doesn't want him given favourite status
The young Belgian abandoned the Giro d'Italia in 2021 after 18 stages
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Mauri Vansevenant and Rémi Cavagna recovering after car hit them at training camp
The French road race champion suffered a fractured L1 vertebrae with the Belgian breaking his thumb
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
'He turned pro too early': Eddy Merckx just can't stop commenting on Evenepoel
The cycling legend has happily voiced his opinion on the young Belgian multiple times during the rider's short career
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
WATCH: Emotional behind the scenes footage of Mark Cavendish's first stage win at the 2021 Tour de France
His reaction to victory on stage four is a part of a docuseries created by Deceuninck - Quick-Step
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Mark Cavendish signs one-year contract extension with Deceuninck - Quick-Step
The Manxman has finally put pen to paper on a new deal that keeps him at the Belgian team until the end of 2022
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Deceuninck CEO states women's cycling is a factor in Alpecin-Fenix switch: 'We discussed that at Quick-Step, but Patrick is Patrick'
The Belgian company leaves Quick-Step at the end of 2021, after three seasons with the team
By Ryan Dabbs Published