Lara Croft's Soundtrack Sounds a Little Different Now: Tomb Raider Composer Jailed for COVID Loan Shenanigans
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Peter Connelly, the composer behind some iconic Tomb Raider tunes, is doing time for COVID-19 loan fraud after trying to pull a fast one on the UK government. Looks like Lara Croft's treasure hunting skills didn't rub off on him enough to navigate the legal system!
Right, so you know Peter Connelly? Yeah, the bloke behind some of the iconic tunes from the Tomb Raider games (Game Rant reports). Turns out, his adventures haven't just been in composing scores, but also in navigating the UK's Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) during the pandemic. And, well, let’s just say Lara Croft wouldn’t approve of his methods.
Connelly, who's got over 60 video game credits under his belt – including a fair few Tomb Raider titles ranging from Tomb Raider 3 (back in '98!) to the upcoming Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered – has been sentenced to 16 months in the clink for COVID-19 loan fraud. Apparently, he thought he could pull a fast one on the British government. (Spoiler alert: he couldn't.)
The juicy details? During the pandemic, the UK government rolled out the BBLS to help small businesses stay afloat. Connelly, bless his cotton socks, decided one loan wasn't enough. He applied for, and received, two. One for £22,000 and another for £37,500. Now, I'm no financial wizard, but even I reckon that's a bit cheeky. But it gets better, or worse, depending on your perspective. He declared a company turnover of £150,000 on the second application. The actual number? A more modest £58,000. Oops.
According to the Insolvency Service, Connelly claimed the money was for a potential “lucrative” project re-imagining the Tomb Raider soundtrack (presumably for the remasters). He even said he’d taken out personal loans and sold his car to keep things going. You almost feel sorry for the guy, don’t you? Almost. Sounds a bit like when you roll the dice in your favorite game and get Snake Eyes, doesn’t it? One minute you’re feeling good, the next, your opponent is stacking all the houses on Boardwalk!
In 2021, his company, Peter Connelly Ltd., went belly up, and neither loan was repaid. Fast forward to July 17th at Durham Crown Court, and boom, 16 months in the slammer and a six-year ban from being a company director. Ouch.
It’s a cautionary tale, really. A reminder that even composers who create epic soundtracks for virtual adventurers aren't immune to the long arm of the law. And that maybe, just maybe, trying to double-dip on government loans isn't the brightest idea. I would suspect that this tale doesn't end here and that Peter may very well appeal the decision based on his contributions to the musical community and perhaps argue about the misallocation of funds.
It looks like he will have plenty of time to compose himself.
Tags: Tomb Raider, Peter Connelly, COVID Loan Fraud, Gaming Music, Legal News
Original article: Game Rant