Boss spent €140,000 Harley cash in casinos

ONE of the owners of a company that imported Harley Davidson motorbikes confessed during his trial that he spent more than €140,000 of clients’ money at casinos in Alicante Province.

This money has been paid to import bikes that never arrived.

A total of 13 clients were affected by his admitted ‘compulsive gambling’ between December 2001 and March 2003. These clients had paid out between €6,000 and €23,000 each for Harley Davidson’s that never arrived.

The prosecutor has asked for an eight-month prison sentence. During his trial, the accused told how every time he left the Vida y Motor SL business premises on Avenida Conde de Soto Amenco in Alicante, he would head straight for the casino.

He would often go days with just two hours sleep a night as he gambled without being able to stop.

His addiction was so great that he reportedly gambled 364 days a year, with the exception of Christmas Eve.

Casinos he frequented included those that were in Villajoyosa and Torrevieja.

Due to his ‘compulsive gambling disorder’, his willpower was affected, according to the medical examiner.

He is currently undergoing treatment for this addiction.

His business partner and spouse have also been implicated in the case.

By Nicole Hallett