Post by QPR Report on Aug 10, 2009 18:00:40 GMT
AP - Fraud trial of Riise's former agent begins
OSLO (AP) -The fraud trial of Roma defender John Arne Riise's former agent has started in southern Norway.
Einar Baardsen, who is charged with swindling Riise of 12 million kroner ($2 million) between 2001 and 2005 when he served as the Norwegian player's agent, pleaded not guilty on Monday.
Prosecutors said Baardsen paid personal debts with funds he was supposed to invest for Riise. If found guilty, he faces up to six years in prison.
"All the transactions are in accordance with the agreement Riise and Baardsen entered into,'' said John Christian Elden, Baardsen's lawyer. "Riise did not accuse him of this, the police did so independently.''
The trial is expected to last two weeks. Riise is scheduled to testify on Aug. 17 as a witness for the prosecution.
Read more: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/wires/08/10/2080.ap.soc.norway.riise.trial.0132/index.html#ixzz0NnvM2L5n
