Courts sentenced Peter Connelly to serve 16 months in prison, beginning July 17, for defrauding the British government during the pandemic. The original Tomb Raider composer and sound designer allegedly secured two COVID-19 business loans totaling nearly £60,000, despite regulations permitting only one per company. Connelly received his first legitimate £22,000 loan in May 2020 before fraudulently obtaining a second £37,500 loan one month later. He falsely reported his company turnover as £150,000 rather than the actual £58,000 to qualify for the larger amount. David Snasdell from the Insolvency Service investigated the case and found Connelly had claimed a lucrative Tomb Raider soundtrack project justified the funding.
The composer told officials that he had sold personal assets to finance the work, but later stated that the project had stalled. His business entered liquidation in August 2021 without repaying either of the loans. Authorities banned Connelly from serving as a company director for six years while requiring loan repayment during his incarceration.
The composer told officials that he had sold personal assets to finance the work, but later stated that the project had stalled. His business entered liquidation in August 2021 without repaying either of the loans. Authorities banned Connelly from serving as a company director for six years while requiring loan repayment during his incarceration.
