Will Sean Connery's widow pay $27M fine over couple's home? Michelle Roquebrune dismisses legal claim as 'nonsense'
After the death of James Bond franchise superstar Sean Connery, his wife Micheline Roquebrune has allegedly landed in the soup. This comes after Spanish authorities intend to notify Micheline that she might face a trial related to an alleged past scam over the sale of the couple’s Marbella, Spain home. That scam saw Connery’s lawyers jailed in 2016. However, Connery’s widow has dismissed claims that say she might be facing a $27 million fine over alleged tax fraud over the sale of that villa in Spain as "nonsense". The case and charges brought against her have surfaced after Micheline said that Connery’s ashes are to be scattered in the country of his birth which is Edinberg, the hilly capital of Scotland.
Micheline stated that even though Connery had resided overseas for many years, his “final wish” was to return home. As per reports that cite her, he is to be cremated at a private service in the Bahamas and some of his ashes will be scattered on the island while the rest will be taken to taken Scotland when Covid restrictions are eased.
Now, Spanish authorities have insisted that the long-running case that involved the couple has ‘not gone away’, despite Connery’s death. A source mentioned to the publication The Sun, “Formal requests have been sent twice to the Bahamas to notify Micheline about the prosecution indictment and the court-ordered trial against her, but Spanish officials have yet to receive a reply.”
What criminal charges Micheline faced?
For the unversed Sean Connery and his spouse, Micheline Roquebrune was facing criminal charges over the so-called 'Operation Goldfinger' property corruption investigation. Think Spain reported in 2015 that inquiries were allegedly centering around Micheline. The publication reports that the villa was sold for €6.4 million in 1998 however, Micheline was considered to have attempted to hide the profits from the sale.
"Prosecutors claim Roquebrune was linked to the development company By the Sea, involving solicitors and other businessmen, through which they say she documented 'fake legal transactions' to launder the sale proceeds of the villa, which was demolished and a complex of 73 luxury apartments built on the site. Planning permission had only been granted for five residential properties, and the sale of the homes on the new urbanization led to profits to the tune of €53m," Thinkspain reported on charges faced by Micheline.
The case later acquitted Connery but not his wife. In the case of the Bond star’s lawyers, the mayor of Marbella and six councilors were jailed.
What is the latest scenario?
As per the latest reports, a judge has decided that the French-born Micheline should face trial related to the case and must be heavily fined if found guilty of tax fraud. However, she has dismissed allegations as “nonsense”. Moreover, she aims to bring her husband's ashes home. Micheline said as per reports, “We are going to bring Sean back to Scotland – that was his final wish. He wanted his ashes to be scattered in the Bahamas and also in his homeland.”
“Whenever it is possible and safe to travel again, then it is the family’s intention to return to Scotland with him.” She continued, “We would like to organize a memorial service for him in Scotland – that is our hope. But we cannot say when this will happen exactly. Sean will be cremated at a private service in the Bahamas and his ashes will be kept until we can travel. We do not know when this will be possible.”
Sean Connery fought dementia in his final years and died peacefully in his sleep on October 31 at the age of 90.