Fleetwood Town owner Andy Pilley appeared in court on Wednesday to face fraud and money laundering charges relating to his energy company.
Following an investigation by Trading Standards, Pilley’s firm Business Energy Solutions – which is the League One club’s main sponsor – is accused of a multi-million pound fraud involving the mis-selling of energy supply contracts to small businesses.
Pilley’s sister Michelle Davidson, who also works for the company, is one of three other people charged in connection with the alleged fraud. All four were bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on October 20.
Pilley did not enter a plea at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court but has previously branded the investigation ‘a personal vendetta’.
In a separate High Court case due to being in November, the 51-year-old club chairman is suing Cheshire West and Chester Council’s trading standards department for more than £10million.