Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

'Swiss Gigolo' Gets 6 Years in Blackmail Schemes

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 9, 2009 10:02 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Helg Sgarbi, the man European media nicknamed “the Swiss Gigolo,” was sentenced to 6 years in prison today after pleading guilty in German court to seducing and conning the BMW heiress who is Germany's richest woman, along with several others. Sgarbi apologized to his victims, none of whom were in court, for bilking them out of a combined $11 million, the BBC reports. Sgarbi would blackmail his victims, saying he had “compromising material” on them.

“I deeply regret what has happened and apologize to the aggrieved ladies,” Sgarbi said. The Swiss man’s most famous conquest was Susanne Klatten, a married BMW heiress who gave him $8.9 million he said he needed to pay off the family of a girl he’d hurt in a car accident. Later, he threatened to go public with a sex tape if she didn’t give him more.

Defendant Helg Sgarbi arrives with his lawyers at a court in Munich today.
Defendant Helg Sgarbi arrives with his lawyers at a court in Munich today.   (AP Photo)
Billionaire German BMW heiress Susanne Klatten was blackmailed by Swiss Helg Sgarbi, right, after the two had an affair.
Billionaire German BMW heiress Susanne Klatten was blackmailed by Swiss Helg Sgarbi, right, after the two had an affair.   (AP Photos)
Defendant Helg Sgarbi arrives for his trial at a court in Munich today.
Defendant Helg Sgarbi arrives for his trial at a court in Munich today.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Sgarbi apologizes to all the 'wronged ladies'
Daily Mail (UK)

 
sex scandal • trial • blackmail • heiress • sex tape • BMW • sentence • Helg Sgarbi • Susanne Klatten

More Newser Stories

Gigolo Who Scammed German Women Goes on Trial
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne