FC Barcelona president denies wrongdoing in €4.7m fraud case

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta testified on Monday as part of an investigation into a €4.7 million fraud case unrelated to the club.

The case revolves around a failed investment by a family that won €34 million in a lottery in 2014.

Over three years, the new millionaires invested €2.4 million in a company that was a subsidiary of one administered by Laporta, with an agreed annual interest rate of 6%.

However, the family claims they never received the promised returns or their principal investment. They allege the defendants profited by €4.7 million from their investment.

The family also claims that the contract they signed is invalid due to a procedural defect because it was written in English.

They also argue that the signature was illegible and that the terms of the agreement were clearly unfavorable to them.

According to the complaint, Laporta acted as the family’s lawyer and guaranteed the solvency of the investment.

Although Laporta was not president of Barça at the time, the family claims that his public stature led them to trust him, "taking advantage of the plaintiffs' lack of financial knowledge."

According to the family, they were even invited to the presidential box at the Camp Nou on several occasions as part of an effort to gain their trust.

Laporta testified for 45 minutes at the Ciutat de la Justícia court in Barcelona on Monday morning, firmly denying any wrongdoing.

The Barça president stated he was unaware of the €2.4 million investment, despite being the joint administrator of the company involved.

He also claimed he did not know that his photograph had been used in promotional material to instill trust among potential investors. 

While Laporta declined to comment upon leaving the court, his lawyer, Jordi Pujant, stated that Laporta had no involvement in the investment.

In a recent press release, Laporta reiterated that the family’s decision to invest occurred before any alleged involvement on his part.

"These biased and unfounded accusations are another episode in a media campaign aimed at tarnishing the personal prestige, image and reputation of Laporta," the statement said. 

Pujant expressed confidence that the case would soon be dismissed, arguing that "it's obvious there is no crime," even though the investment did not produce the expected returns. 

Laporta is also under investigation in two other similar cases being handled by different courts in Barcelona.