Duo face charges in city’s property repairs scandal

TWO more people are set to face charges following a police probe into the Capital’s property repair scandal – bringing the possible total to 17.

Prosecutors have already received a report which includes allegations of criminal conduct at the city council’s property care 
department, which is responsible for maintaining council-owned properties across 
Edinburgh.

In June, 15 people were charged by police over alleged fraud, corruption and money-laundering offences as a result of the inquiry into the 
department.

Two further people have now been identified by the inquiry and may face charges, with the Crown Office understood to be considering whether it will pursue criminal proceedings.

Lothian MSP Sarah Boyack, who has campaigned for the problems surrounding statutory notices to be resolved, said: “I welcome the fact that this investigation has been completed.

“We now need to see the response from the Crown 
Office.”

The investigation into the property care department began in 2011. The section, which deals with public buildings such as schools and 
libraries, came under fire after concerns were raised about staff and contractors.

By then, an inquiry was already under way into the council’s property conservation department – which handles statutory notices – after a member of staff allegedly blew the whistle on irregularities in October 2010.

An internal probe led council bosses to commission auditor Deloitte to conduct a 
£2 million independent report. Police also launched an 
investigation.

The year-long probe led to members of staff being sacked and suspended, but last month police confirmed no-one would be charged.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s Serious and Organised Crime Division has received a report from Lothian and Borders Police alleging criminal conduct by 17 individuals in relation to the work of the property care services department of the City of Edinburgh Council.

“The report is being given detailed consideration and a decision as to whether criminal proceedings are to be raised will be made in due course.”

A council spokesman said: “The council has already dealt firmly with issues relating to this matter and we will continue to monitor progress in these cases.”