A former Scottish side Rangers CEO was paid £360,000 when the "debt-ridden club" was sold to Craig Whyte, a court heard, according to Grant McCabe of the LONDON TIMES. Martin Bain received the bonus, despite his involvement in the May '11 sale being described as "limited." A lawyer from former Rangers Owner David Murray's Murray Group also received a £160,000 payout. The evidence emerged Tuesday at Whyte's trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Whyte denied a "charge of fraud and a second allegation under the Companies Act in connection with his takeover of the football club." Michael McGill, an adviser to Murray and a former Rangers director, gave evidence for a third day. McGill and another director of Rangers, Donald Muir, were also "incentivised" to facilitate the sale of the club but "had to meet other targets with the Murray Group independent from the transaction," the court heard (LONDON TIMES, 5/10). The BBC reported a lawyer who handled Whyte's takeover of Rangers told a court that Whyte was presented as a man of "substantial wealth." Gary Withey also said that he initially thought Whyte was part of whisky company Whyte & Mackay "when he first showed interest in buying Rangers." During questioning by prosecution QC Alex Prentice, Withey was asked if he wanted to take on the case. He said, "Yes and no." He added, "Football clubs are always a complete nightmare" (BBC, 5/10).
