German Radio-TV Moderator Charged With Embezzlement of Karpov Funds

HAMBURG, West Germany — A radio and television moderator was arrested on suspicion of embezzling the equivalent of $577,000 entrusted to him by Soviet chess ace Anatoly Karpov, a prosecutor said.

Hamburg prosecutor Peter Beck said last week that Helmut Jungwirth, who works for West Germany’s NDR radio and television, was placed in investigative custody Nov. 15 to prevent him from fleeing possible prosecution.

Jungwirth allegedly was to pass on money to Karpov from a Hong Kong-based computer company that used the former world chess champion’s name and likeness to advertise chess computers in the West, Beck said.

According to Beck, Karpov has hired an attorney in West Germany to represent him in tracing the missing funds.

Jungwirth, who apparently befriended the chess star during Karpov’s trips to the West, claims he invested the money on Karpov’s orders.

Beck said a warrant for Jungwirth’s arrest was issued on Sept. 10, but was not immediately enforced because the reporter was very cooperative during the initial investigation.

“Meanwhile two months have gone by and the investigation has progressed,” increasing suspicion of wrongdoing by Jungwirth, Beck said.

Earlier this month Karpov lost his world chess championship to fellow Soviet Garri Kasparov in Moscow.