Toni Kukoc is suing a Swiss bank over alleged $11 million theft / News - Basketnews.com

Chicago Bulls legend Toni Kukoc is suing EFG International bank, his financial advisor Paolo Banfi, and personal banker Paolo Zola over a combined $11 million theft from his personal accounts. He tried seeking court justice in Switzerland but his attempts failed.

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

Former Chicago Bulls and Croatian national team great Toni Kukoc is taking action against his former partners.

The three-time NBA champion has filed a suit against EFG International bank, which merged with Banca Svizzera Italiana (BSI), alleging the Swiss bank worked with his financial advisor in 2004 to defraud him.

Kukoc worked with his financial advisor Paolo Banfi since 1991 and did not have any issues until a personal banker Paolo Zola came into the picture in 2004 through BSI, one of his attorneys state.

The lawsuit alleges both Banfi and Zola worked together to take money from Kukoc's accounts. It is alleged that the player's signature was forged on mortgage documents for a hotel project in Switzerland.

"The mortgage documents purport to show that Kukoc signed some of the mortgage documents in Lugano, Switzerland, in December 2006," the lawsuit writes. "However, Kukoc was not in Lugano, Switzerland, at this time, and never signed the documents."

The hotel mortgage accounts for roughly $7.5 million out of the $11 million that Kukoc is seeking. Other allegations in the court include aiding and abetting civil theft, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of contract.

The two men are accused of authorizing more than 300 transactions during the three-year period between 2004 and 2007, amounting to the $11 million mentioned.

Notably, Kukoc has tried seeking truth in Swiss courts but with no success. The lawsuit states that Swiss banks "have a longstanding history of a cozy relationship with Swiss courts, legislators, and policymakers".

The defendant currently refused to comment on the case.

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.