Peter Connelly, the British composer known for his work on several Tomb Raider games, has been sentenced to prison in the UK after being convicted of fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans. Authorities determined that Connelly submitted false applications and fabricated business details to secure government funds meant for companies struggling during the pandemic.
The fraud came to light when investigators discovered that Connelly’s company, Peter Connelly Limited, had gone into liquidation in August 2021 without repaying the loans. Court documents revealed that Connelly deliberately misrepresented his company’s eligibility for the relief funds, which led to a deep dive by UK authorities.
During interviews with the Insolvency Service, Connelly claimed he had been given a chance to re-imagine music for the Tomb Raider franchise—a potentially lucrative project that prompted him to take out personal loans and sell his car for funding. He said the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately derailed these plans, though investigators decided this didn’t excuse his fraudulent loan applications.
The UK government rolled out several financial aid programs during the pandemic, including Bounce Back Loans, which relied heavily on self-certification. This system, built for speedy distribution of funds to struggling businesses, was open to abuse, and Connelly’s case is just one of many government probes into suspected fraud.
Connelly’s work on the Tomb Raider series mostly happened in the early 2000s, with his music popping up in titles like Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness. Though he’s no longer part of the main series, his tracks helped shape the sound of Lara Croft’s adventures during a big time for the franchise.
The composer’s conviction is part of the UK government’s ongoing clampdown on COVID relief fraud. Officials have promised to thoroughly check out dodgy claims and go after anyone trying to get away with public funds, no matter who they are or what they do.
The case has gotten people’s attention not only because of Connelly’s ties to a well-known gaming series, but also because it puts the spotlight on authorities’ ongoing push to go after anyone who took advantage of pandemic relief programs. While plenty of creatives rightly got the help they needed during a tough time, it’s clear that those who submit bogus applications will pay the price.
