Former Oilers owner Pocklington gets probation for perjury

PALM SPRINGS, California. – Former Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington has been spared jail time for committing perjury in his U.S. bankruptcy case.

On Wednesday a judge in California sentenced the controversial businessman to two years of probation, six months of "home detention," and a fine of $3,000.

Pocklington actually haggled to some degree in court, asking to have the fine payable as $500 up front followed by payments of $200 a month, starting Nov. 1

The 68-year-old pleaded guilty to a single count of perjury on May 27, admitting he lied on his 2008 application for bankruptcy when he didn’t disclose he had sole signing authority over two bank accounts and two storage lockers near his home in Palm Desert, California.

A plea bargain with the U.S. attorney’s office’s had recommended that he not face jail time.

He claimed debts of $19.6 million and assets of about $2,900 – including $300 worth of clothing and shoes and $500 worth of trophies and memorabilia.

Pocklington was arrested March 11, 2009.

The indictment accused Pocklington of making false statements in bankruptcy and making false oaths and accounts in bankruptcy.

He was released on a $1-million bond believed to have been put up by his friend, New York Rangers president Glen Sather. However, an updated edition of the Pocklington biography, I’d Trade Him Again, says the money actually came from current Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz.

Though released from jail, Pocklington remained under house arrest and was initially required to wear an ankle bracelet to monitor his whereabouts.

His bail has since been reduced to $200,000 because the court deemed he was less of a flight risk with the plea agreement.

Pocklington bought the Oilers in 1976 and signed hockey’s Great One, Wayne Gretzky, in 1978.

The team joined the NHL in 1979 and went on to win five Stanley Cups.

In 1988, Pocklington became the bane of Canadian hockey fans by trading Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings for $15 million, two players and three first-round draft picks.

He later said he had no choice and had to make the deal to keep the Oilers afloat financially.