Accountant 'stole' from football star

Anders Limpar played for Arsenal and Everton

An accountant stole nearly £90,000 given to him by a former Arsenal and Everton footballer to clear a tax bill, a court heard.

While negotiating with the Inland Revenue on the footballer's behalf, Marc Geppert, 46, transferred most of it into a string of struggling bank accounts, it was claimed.

By the time winger and one-time Swedish international Anders Limpar realised anything was wrong, the money had all been spent, London's Southwark Crown Court was told.

Shani Barnes, prosecuting. said Mr Limpar had also found his tax bill had been £72,000 and not the near £90,000 the accountant allegedly insisted he owed.

He kept the money originally in Switzerland believing that money would never get into the hands of the Inland Revenue in the UK

Shani Barnes, prosecuting

Mr Limpar was left with little choice but to effectively pay a second time, she said.

When questioned by police Mr Geppert, of George Lane, South Woodford, Essex, maintained the £89,995 the player paid him simply represented his fees for handling his affairs.

But the court heard he had already been paid £25,000 for his services.

Mr Geppert denies one count of theft between 19 and 26 March 1996.

Opening what is expected to be a five-day trial, Miss Barnes told the court Mr Limpar had been paid a £180,000 "signing on fee" when he left Italian side Cremonese for Arsenal in the summer of 1990.

Accounts overdrawn

"He was coming from Italy. He was going to play in England and he kept the money originally in Switzerland and then offshore hoping, believing, that money would never get into the hands of the Inland Revenue in the UK.

"However, it transpired that wherever he put it, the taxman wanted his share of it."

Once Mr Limpar was fully aware of his tax liabilities he asked Mr Geppert for help, Miss Barnes said.

The Inland Revenue eventually agreed the footballer should pay £72,000 up front followed by £5,000 interest.

However, the defendant allegedly told Mr Limpar he owed just under £90,000.

The player sold stocks and shares to raise the money which was then paid into one of Mr Geppert's accounts which had been nearly £700 overdrawn until then, Miss Barnes alleged.

'Surprised and amazed'

She added that within days most of the money meant for the taxman had been transferred to other accounts of Mr Geppert to put them in the black as well.

More than a year later Mr Limpar learned his tax bill was still outstanding.

He was "surprised and amazed" but, faced with the threat of bankruptcy, felt he had no choice but to write another cheque.

When confronted by police, Mr Geppert denied any wrongdoing and insisted Mr Limpar had not only "deceived" him, but lied to the taxman as well.

The trial continues.