HPC director jailed for two years
The Health Professions’ Council former finance director Paul Baker has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of stealing £130,000 from the organisation over a 24 month period.
The theft, which he managed to hide from auditors, was revealed by work colleagues in May this year. Police were informed, Mr Baker was suspended and subsequently resigned from his post.
Most of the money was taken through the use of two HPC staff credit cards over approximately two years. Mr Baker, 57, of Bromley, Kent, also fraudulently wrote and cashed HPC cheques totalling £3,000 and had a private travel account of £774. He had worked at the HPC from April 2002 until he was suspended in May this year.
In sentencing Mr Baker at Inner London Crown Court, the judge said that he had frittered the money away on an extravagant lifestyle.
The HPC claim that its former auditors “twice missed the theft” before finance staff at the Council reported their suspicions.
The Society has been given the full facts of the case by the HPC and is satisfied that the theft will not impact in any way on members. The Health Professions Council says it is operating as usual, while trying to recover the losses.
If any member needs further information, write to the chief executive, Mike Seale at Park House, 184 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4BU and he will provide details. Alternatively email info@hpc-uk.org.
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