Paul Kelly, formerly VP of Corporate Affairs at Asda from, is facing jail time after admitting to stealing £180,000 from the grocer‘s charity fund.
Kelly pleaded guilty to seven charges of fraud. It is understood he took the money, which was raised for flood victims, for his partner‘s ballet company.
He has been accused of fraudulently claiming charity funds for the company run by his partner fell within the remit of the Asda Foundation.
The former”¯Asda”¯exec was also a government adviser on food policy, alcohol and obesity and an ambassador for Prince Charles‘s Business in the Community charity. He left the business in September 2014 following an internal investigation.
According to The Guardian, the three charges relate to Kelly acting “dishonestly and intending to make a gain for himself or another” by making a false representation to the Asda Foundation that money was going to flood victims when instead they were going to the Murley Dance Company. It was not suggested that the dance company was aware that the funds it received were dishonest.
The four remaining charges are connected to Kelly making false representations that the dance company was a charitable organisation whose objectives met those of the Asda Foundation. The offending took place between July 2013 and May 2014.
Asda said none of the causes it supports would be financially disadvantaged by the scandal.
Kelly will be sentenced on 16 February.
