Chris Kirchner, once a respected figure with credible backers and a private jet, has been convicted of a $25 million fraud, including wire fraud and money laundering. Kirchner, who nearly acquired Derby County in 2022, was found to have funded his luxurious lifestyle, including a $16 million private jet, first class flights, and a £3m mansion, with misappropriated funds. Despite his high-profile connections and a lifestyle that mimicked that of a Premier League star, Kirchner never had the financial backing he claimed. His fraudulent activities extended to attempting to purchase English football clubs and playing golf with Tiger Woods, leading to his conviction and a potential sentence of up to 150 years in prison.
Chris Kirchner's “life of luxury” had been built by misappropriating his company’s funds. His fall has been sudden and spectacular. That he came so close to buying two clubs in the Championship, English soccer's second tier, already seems fanciful. https://t.co/nAWUF74jas https://t.co/LqJO83uOwS
👀👀👀 Staveley’s contention that the tycoon threatened her with violence over non-payment lacked credibility, while a claim that she did not understand that she was personally liable ventured “into the realm of fantasy”, ruled Judge Daniel Schaffer https://t.co/ReOulUdPAZ
From @TheAthleticFC: He played golf with Tiger Woods and bought a $16million jet, but was then found guilty of fraud and money laundering. This is the remarkable story of Chris Kirchner, who came close to taking over an English soccer club. https://t.co/PDjnDovsUt
“Did that really happen?” Chris Kirchner played golf with the stars and said he could save Derby County. But it turns out all that money wasn't his to spend. @PJBuckingham & @DTathletic on a $25m fraud for @TheAthleticFC ⤵️ #DCFC https://t.co/W08jMrKK7H
▪️ $16m private jet paid for with others' money ▪️ Never spoke to ex-#DCFC owner Mel Morris or sent cash ▪️ Golf sponsorship bought credibility ▪️ Now convicted of wire fraud & money laundering How Chris Kirchner almost bought an English football club @PJBuckingham @DTathletic
Fraudsters and fantasists are queuing up to buy English football clubs. In the first of our new series, the incredible story of Chris Kirchner, once in pole position to buy Derby County. Less than two years on, he is facing up to 150 years in prison. @PJBuckingham @DTathletic
Chris Kirchner had credibility, respected backers and a private jet. But the money he threw around was never his. The $25m fraudster who very nearly bought Derby County in 2022 #dcfc @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/OXYzOwgU13
Semi-pro footballer turned career fraudster conned pensioner out of more than £340,000 so he could live like a Premier League star with £3m mansion and first class flights https://t.co/4V44UK8FE1 https://t.co/XKrvfJ7MFu
The paralysed footballer who was promised £2m — then lost everything (by my brilliant colleague @DavidCollinsST) https://t.co/NXLV4MuBTd