£300,000 fraud probe: staff member charged

A MEMBER of the management team in the education department at one of Scotland's city councils has been charged with embezzlement, following a police investigation into allegations of a £300,000 fraud.

One other person, who is not a council employee, has also been arrested following the four-month investigation by Grampian Police into the alleged embezzlement at cash-strapped Aberdeen City Council.

Fraud squad detectives were called in by the council in September after alleged irregularities first came to light. It is understood the investigation has focused on invoices relating to the home tutoring service.

Detective Inspector Graeme Mackie, who is leading the investigation, said: "Grampian Police can confirm that they are making inquiries into an allegation of embezzlement made by Aberdeen City Council in September 2010 and that two persons have been charged in connection with this."

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said the authority could not comment on a live police inquiry, but he confirmed that a member of staff had been suspended from his post.

Councillor Barney Crockett, the leader of the Labour group, expressed his concern about the investigation.

He said "It is of enormous concern, given the experiences the council has had in recent times.

"It is my understanding that steps have been taken to improve things radically in the aftermath of the shocking audit report two years ago. But I think we will have to look very carefully to see if enough has been done and to see if more can be done to tighten up on procedures."