American attempts to extradite former Gillingham FC vice chairman Michael Anderson fail

Attempts to extradite Gillingham FC’s former vice-chairman to America have been rejected after a court found the bid to be “disproportionate”.

Michael Anderson could face up to 60 years in prison if found guilty of conspiring to defraud a US government healthcare scheme for members and veterans of the armed forces and their families.

The 70-year-old was arrested at Heathrow Airport in August 2021 after Interpol alerted authorities he was on a flight returning from a holiday in Portugal.

He was then locked up in Wandsworth Prison, south west London, before being released when his family paid £400,000 bail and on condition he remained at his £2.8 million West Malling home.

The businessman, who has always maintained his innocence, has faced numerous extradition hearings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

But this has now been “discharged” and no appeal has yet been lodged from American proscutors.

Mr Anderson says while he is “relieved” at the decision, the indictment made by a grand jury in Florida six years ago has taken its toll.

He said: “It has cost me my reputation, my marriage, my health and my house. I can’t tell you the full story behind this until it is finalised.

“I have done everything the authorities have asked of me. I’ve taken two lie detector tests which have proved in my favour.

“The Americans have not appealed which is apparently unheard of.”

The prosecution had argued Mr Anderson, who has UK and Irish passports, was "likely to abscond".

But Ben Watson, defending, said his client was a well-known public figure who had travelled extensively during the years US authorities had wanted him and had always returned to his home set in a private estate.

Mr Watson told the court his client was an unwell man and had