A businessman and football club owner convicted of fraudulent trading lost a civil lawsuit with a council involved in an investigation into allegations of diversion.
Andy Pilli, owner of League One team Fleetwood and chairman of BES Utilities, was involved in High Court litigation with Cheshire West and Chester Council.
BES Utilities and a number of other utilities based in the Fleetwood and Blackpool areas of Lancashire sued the council.
They filed a number of complaints, including a misconduct allegation and an allegation of illegally obtaining search warrants.
The council bosses denied all allegations, and a High Court judge ruled in their favour.
Mr Justice Friedman dismissed the claims brought against the council.
The judge said the case involved “non-domestic energy suppliers based in Fleetwood/Blackpool, Lancashire” operating in the “small and medium business market”.
He said the lawsuit dealt with “allegations of missale” that “led to a criminal investigation.”
Statement: Andy Pilli
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) May 19, 2023
Pilli, 52, was found guilty last week of fraudulent trading, misrepresentation fraud and involvement in the acquisition, withholding, use or control of the proceeds of fraudulently mis-sold energy contracts following a trial in Preston Crown Court and will be sentenced on July 3.
Three other people were also convicted.
Mr Justice Friedman oversaw the High Court hearing in London in late 2021 but ruled that his findings could not be released until after the trial in the Crown Court in case of influence on the jury.
The judge released his findings late Thursday night following the conclusion of that trial.
Pilli was chairman and owner of Fleetwood for 20 years and oversaw their transition from non-league status to the English Football League.
