Diamonds are forever as court backs Connery
James Bond legend Sean Connery has won a bitter court battle over a multi-million pound business deal that turned sour, it emerged yesterday.
The 78-year-old actor was accused of making a huge profit on luxury property, diamonds and shares he was given as security for a loan to a friend.
But the Scottish star has been vindicated by a Swiss court that dismissed all the claims against him and ordered Sir Sean’s costs to be paid.
A close friend of Sir Sean said: “He is extremely happy that he has been swiftly and completely vindicated by the court which went so far as to award legal fees for having had to respond in the lawsuit.”
Connery lent £2.8million to French businessman Jean-Rene Canela to bankroll a building project on the French Riveria in the Seventies.
In exchange, the developer provided a portfolio of diamonds, property – including a luxury villa, and art treasures worth £7million as collateral.
We are asking for all profits from the diamonds and property to be handed back to us
But the project failed and Connery cashed in the assets, which Canela’s family claim would now be worth £35million.
Canela died in 2002 and his son Christian brought the case in Geneva, claiming the Hollywood actor had refused attempts to settle out of court.
Christian Canela said: “We are asking for all profits from the diamonds and property to be handed back to us.”
Sir Sean, who lives as a tax exile in the Bahamas, was summoned to appear before the Palais de Justice in Geneva.
But despite the seriousness of the accusations he failed to appear for the proceedings last week.
However, his lawyers argued he had paid all his dues to the Canela family.
Sir Sean’s representatives said that Canela become friends with the actor through his French-born wife, Lady Micheline.
And she was revealed as being behind many of the business deals that helped Connery amass a fortune estimated at over £170million.
Judges in Geneva ruled on Friday that the Edinburgh-born actor had no case to answer.
The star’s American agent, Nancy Seltzer, said: “I am pleased to announce the Tribunal of First Instance of the Republique and Canton of Geneva has entirely found in favour of Sir Sean and Lady Connery.”
She added: “In addition the Connerys were awarded all court costs.”
However despite the ruling the Canela family vowed to continue their fight. Christian Canela said: “We will never stop trying to achieve justice in this hugely complicated case.”
He added the failed business deal had driven his father to an early grave. He was worried sick over the finances, and could not work anything out with Lady Micheline, despite her being a very old friend.
Canela’s widow Jacqueline, 70, added: “My husband was devastated by what happened. He did not know where to turn.”
