In January 2017, a former HBOS employee and a turnaround consultant were each sentenced to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to defraud. Another former bank employee, turnaround consultant and the first consultant’s wife were also found guilty and sentenced to shorter terms. Essentially, the bank employees accepted cash and other kick-backs to put the turnaround consultants into distressed businesses within the bank’s distressed lending department.
Geoff Mesher FCA MAE CFE is Managing Partner at Tempest Forensic Accounting UK LLP and a director of the Wales Fraud Forum. He is a member of the Academy of Experts and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
Geoff has led many fraud investigations, investigating misappropriation of assets and fraudulent financial reporting for private sector companies and public institutions. He has advised on professional negligence claims and carried out Fraud Risk Mitigation work across a number of sectors. Geoff is often called as an expert witness or adviser in criminal cases concerning fraud, money laundering, theft and conspiracy, for both the prosecution and defence.
Geoff was instructed as the forensic accounting expert witness by the Crown and spent ten days in the witness box on this case. His masterclass presentation will explain the background, some of the issues investigated and consider the modus operandi employed. He’ll also explore some far-reaching questions:
© Wales Fraud Form 2016