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

Tom Boonen on stage 1 of the 2015 Abu Dhabi Tour. Photo: Graham Watson

(Image credit: Watson)

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.

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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.