Former League Championship side Leeds United Managing Dir DAVID HAIGH, who has now spent 130 days in a Dubai jail cell, "has issued an explosive statement protesting his innocence while revealing no criminal charges have yet been brought against him," according to Matt Lawton of the London DAILY MAIL.
Haigh "has been accused by his former employers and former Leeds owners GFH Capital of falsifying invoices and diverting money into accounts controlled by him." The figures that have been reported amount to around £4M ($6.5M).
Haigh "enlisted the services of forensic investigators at Price Waterhouse Coopers in a bid to clear his name." Haigh claimed that "he is the victim" and in a detailed statement issued through his representatives on Thursday he said, "I have now been held in jail for 130 days during which time no criminal charges have been brought against me. Nor have I been questioned or examined in any way about any criminal matters. ... While I do not blame the Dubai system or its authorities for what has happened, GFH knew full well that they had no grounds to have me detained in the UK. ... I believe that GFH are exploiting the Dubai system in having me locked up for more than four months without trial, never having been questioned about any criminality and guilty of no wrongdoing. Justice will prevail; of that I am confident." The statement continued, "Can it be coincidence that the amounts of money GFH falsely claim was diverted illegally and deliberately into accounts controlled by me are remarkably similar to the amounts contained in my outstanding claims against GFH? These include payments long overdue to me for expenses, salary, bonus shares and commission incurred during my time working both for GFH and as Managing Director of Leeds United" (DAILY MAIL, 9/24).
