Ex Charlton Owner Faces US Fraud Charges

A former owner of Charlton Athletic has been charged with fraud in the United States, bringing renewed attention to one of English football’s more turbulent ownership periods. Thomas Sandgaard, who owned the south east London club between 2020 and 2023, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Rhode Island on multiple criminal counts linked to his role as chief executive of a medical technology company. Sandgaard, a Danish American businessman who frequently described himself as an inventor and investor, was a visible figure during his time at the club, regularly appearing on the pitch at the Valley before matches. The charges are unrelated to Charlton Athletic but have sparked significant interest among supporters and observers in London due to his prominent profile in the capital’s football scene during a period marked by instability and poor on field results.

According to the indictment, Sandgaard and the company’s chief operating officer are accused of orchestrating a scheme that allegedly defrauded government and private healthcare payers and patients of millions of dollars over several years. Prosecutors have listed a total of 15 charges, including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, mail fraud, securities fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The case also includes unusual allegations about Sandgaard’s conduct toward journalists who questioned the firm’s business practices. Court documents claim that reporters were subjected to harassment, including being signed up for unwanted medical therapy sessions and having offensive items sent to their homes. The US Attorney’s Office stated that these actions were intended to intimidate and discredit those examining the company’s operations while the alleged fraud was ongoing.

Sandgaard has been approached for comment but has not publicly responded to the charges. During his ownership of Charlton Athletic, the club experienced frequent managerial changes and remained in League One, prompting frustration among supporters and criticism from fan groups. His departure in 2023 followed what the supporters trust described as the lowest point in the club’s modern history. In a farewell message at the time, Sandgaard acknowledged the mixed reaction to his tenure, saying the experience had been both challenging and emotional. The unfolding legal case now places his business career under intense scrutiny in the United States, while also casting a retrospective shadow over his high profile involvement in English football ownership during a difficult chapter for the south east London club.