The widow of legendary actor Sean Connery is reportedly facing a jail term and a £21m ($27.7m, €23m) fine over alleged tax fraud in Spain.
Micheline Roquebrune denies any involvement in a scam involving the sale of the couple’s Marbella home.
But, despite the recent death of the Bond actor, Spanish authorities have insisted the long-running case has “not gone away”, according to British newspaper the Daily Mirror.
They intend to notify Roquebrune of the indictment so a trial can take place.
Property
According to reports, Connery was told in 2014 he would not face trial for the sale of their home in 1999, which was demolished to make way for 70 flats despite rules saying only five could be built.
The Mirror said that the actor’s lawyers, a mayor of Marbella and six councillors were jailed for the scam.
The Spanish tax authorities reportedly said that Roquebrune “aided and abetted” a complex operation to defraud the treasury of nearly £5.5m in 2006 through a Spanish company called By The Sea.
Prosecutors also alleged that she collaborated with the people jailed to formalise “fictitious legal transactions”, so profits obtained during the sale of the house could be hidden from the taxman.
The house was sold in 1999 and subsequently demolished.
A judge has now decided Roquebrune should face trial, which could result in a prison term and substantial fine if she is found guilty of tax fraud, but first-time offenders are given a suspended sentence in Spain.
Roquebrune has called the allegations “nonsense”, the Mirror added.
Leaving tax problems
Andrew Wilkinson, head of inheritance disputes at Lime Solicitors, told International Adviser: “The case involving Sean Connery’s widow highlights the importance of taking proper tax advice during your lifetime, and the problems that can be caused if those issues aren’t resolved by the time you pass away.
“Leaving tax problems for your family to resolve can be a hugely unwanted legacy and one which is even harder to deal with when also trying to deal with the administration of the estate; as well as, of course, dealing with the grief following the death of a loved one.
“It’s an important reminder too that tax problems don’t die with you – and prevention is better than cure.
“If you have got assets in multiple jurisdictions, then it is important that you take advice that covers all of those assets.
“Problems often arise when a disjointed approach is taken on estate planning, so use a trusted adviser who can work with others in other jurisdictions as required, in order to ensure your wishes are followed,” he added.
