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Update: Forward Racing Owner Giovanni Cuzari Arrested for Alleged Fraud

Giovanni Cuzari, the owner of the Forward Racing team that fields bikes in both Moto2 and MotoGP was arrested in the city of Lugano, southern Switzerland. He is in the center of a complex investigation and is facing multiple charges, such as corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and more.
Giovanni Cuzari 4 photos
Photo: speedweek.com
Stefan BradlLoris BazGiovanni Cuzari
Cuzari, 48, is said to have offered yet unspecified amounts of money to Libero Galli, a high-ranking financial inspector in order to secure a milder taxation for Media Action, one of the companies he owned. Media Action deals with marketing and communication in the sports world, and the allegations mention that Cuzari and Galli perfected a scheme for a more favourable taxation.

Other allegations are also being investigated. The Italian press mentions that Forward Racing allegedly received fictitious sponsorships and money resulting from VAT evasions.

Cuzari's lawyer says that the corruption charges were already dismissed

According to insella, Giovanni Cuzari's lawyer says that the first charges have already been dropped, and that the others should be cleared within the next 48 hours. Aggravated money laundering is a very serious offense all over the world, and Switzerland makes no exception.

In fact, something tells us that the cops will pay special attention to anything involving dirty money, as Switzerland has been in the center of financial crime cases more than once, and this is bad for the local business (read banks).

Depending on the results of the investigation, we will have to see what impact all this will have in Forward Racing's competition program. Forward Racing is fielding two Italians in Moto2, Simone Corsi and Lorenzo Baldassarri. In MotoGP, Forward employs the services of premier class rookie Loris Baz, currently 16th in the standings with 14 points and former Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl, nineteenth with only 9 points.

UPDATE:

After further investigations it looks like the case involving Forward Racing's owner was dealt with, as the competent authorities have closed the legal process and Mr. Giovanni Cuzari has been exonerated from all accusations.
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