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ECB 'naive' over Stanford affair
Stanford has invested millions into cricket in the Caribbean
An Antiguan lawyer has questioned the rigour of the checks the England and Wales Cricket Board carried out on Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford.
Stanford has been accused of a $8bn (£5.6bn) investment fraud in the US.
Lawyer John Fuller, a former associate of Stanford, said the businessman's links to South and Central America should have set alarm bells ringing.
"You wouldn't have to dig far to raise concerns," Fuller told BBC 5 Live as the ECB refused to comment on Stanford.
"There's been a bit of naivety," added Fuller, who worked closely with Stanford during his time as owner of the airline Caribbean Star, which stopped flying in 2007, and has known the billionaire for 10 years.
According to Fuller, there have been concerns in Antigua for the past five years over American Stanford's business affairs.
"His bank were offering interest rates which were much higher than anyone else," said Fuller.
"He did not have any apparent income, at least here in Antigua, other than a small amount of money from two restaurants he has and a health spa.
"He was spending a lot of money on land, private jets and cricket. But the income was not visible."
In June the ECB struck a deal with Stanford to play five $20m matches, with plans in place for new 20-20 tournaments in England as well.
MIHIR BOSE BLOG
It is easy to see how Stanford could have charmed Clarke. I myself, during a brief interview, found the Texan charming
The ECB and its chairman Giles Clarke has received support from at least 11 of the 18 counties and earlier on Thursday Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell defended the checks carried out by domestic cricket's governing body. The ECB, in tandem with the West Indies Cricket Board, has suspended negotiations with Stanford as a result of the charges. Stanford has not been seen since Tuesday, when the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil case in court. No criminal charges have yet been made.
Stanford has invested millions into cricket in the CaribbeanAn Antiguan lawyer has questioned the rigour of the checks the England and Wales Cricket Board carried out on Texan billionaire Sir Allen Stanford.
Stanford has been accused of a $8bn (£5.6bn) investment fraud in the US.
Lawyer John Fuller, a former associate of Stanford, said the businessman's links to South and Central America should have set alarm bells ringing.
"You wouldn't have to dig far to raise concerns," Fuller told BBC 5 Live as the ECB refused to comment on Stanford.
"There's been a bit of naivety," added Fuller, who worked closely with Stanford during his time as owner of the airline Caribbean Star, which stopped flying in 2007, and has known the billionaire for 10 years.
According to Fuller, there have been concerns in Antigua for the past five years over American Stanford's business affairs.
"His bank were offering interest rates which were much higher than anyone else," said Fuller.
"He did not have any apparent income, at least here in Antigua, other than a small amount of money from two restaurants he has and a health spa.
"He was spending a lot of money on land, private jets and cricket. But the income was not visible."
In June the ECB struck a deal with Stanford to play five $20m matches, with plans in place for new 20-20 tournaments in England as well.
MIHIR BOSE BLOG It is easy to see how Stanford could have charmed Clarke. I myself, during a brief interview, found the Texan charming
The ECB and its chairman Giles Clarke has received support from at least 11 of the 18 counties and earlier on Thursday Glamorgan chairman Paul Russell defended the checks carried out by domestic cricket's governing body. The ECB, in tandem with the West Indies Cricket Board, has suspended negotiations with Stanford as a result of the charges. Stanford has not been seen since Tuesday, when the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil case in court. No criminal charges have yet been made.
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