This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7931925.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Swiss 'gigolo' in blackmail trial | Swiss 'gigolo' in blackmail trial |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A Swiss man accused of seducing several rich women in order to swindle them out of millions of dollars is due to go on trial in the German city of Munich. | A Swiss man accused of seducing several rich women in order to swindle them out of millions of dollars is due to go on trial in the German city of Munich. |
| Helg Sgarbi - nicknamed by the media as the Swiss Gigolo - faces up to 10 years in prison for fraud and extortion. | Helg Sgarbi - nicknamed by the media as the Swiss Gigolo - faces up to 10 years in prison for fraud and extortion. |
| His most prominent victim was Susanne Klatten, the heiress of the German car manufacturer BMW. | His most prominent victim was Susanne Klatten, the heiress of the German car manufacturer BMW. |
| Prosecutors say Mrs Klatten gave Helg Sgarbi nearly $9m, but went to the police after he tried to blackmail her. | Prosecutors say Mrs Klatten gave Helg Sgarbi nearly $9m, but went to the police after he tried to blackmail her. |
| Mrs Klatten, a married business tycoon who owns a 12.5% stake in BMW, also said he secretly videoed them having sex in a Munich hotel and threatened to make the tape public if he did not receive another $18m. | Mrs Klatten, a married business tycoon who owns a 12.5% stake in BMW, also said he secretly videoed them having sex in a Munich hotel and threatened to make the tape public if he did not receive another $18m. |
| The reclusive Susanne Klatten may give evidence at the trialBut instead of giving away more of her fortune, the reclusive 46-year-old mother-of-three went to the police. | |
| The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Munich says there is a huge amount of media attention on the trial, which is being described as one of the most remarkable and sensational in German judicial history. | The BBC's Steve Rosenberg in Munich says there is a huge amount of media attention on the trial, which is being described as one of the most remarkable and sensational in German judicial history. |
| It is believed that Mrs Klatten, who normally shies away from publicity, could testify if Mr Sgarbi does not confess to the alleged crimes. | It is believed that Mrs Klatten, who normally shies away from publicity, could testify if Mr Sgarbi does not confess to the alleged crimes. |