A former chief executive of a charity that is being wound-up has been arrested and charged with financial offences.
Nathan Sparling, the former chief executive of HIV Scotland, led HIV Scotland from 2018 to 2021. He was formerly a campaign manager at the Scottish National Party.
In the charity’s accounts for 2020-21, it noted: “The chief executive officer resigned during the year and following a review it was identified that they had entered into a number of transactions that were not in pursuit of the charitable objectives of HIV Scotland, and as such are considered to be fraudulent.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “In February 2021, we received a report of a possible fraud at a premises in York Place, Edinburgh.
“Enquiries were carried out and a 30-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with financial offences. A report was sent to the procurator fiscal.”
Financial transactions not in pursuit of the charity
The news comes after HIV Scotland announced it would be closing last week due to mass trustee resignations.
It had decided to wind up the organisation after 30 years due to “a number of significant challenges” according to a statement on its website.
The charity has been operating “within a complex and challenging environment”.
Its latest accounts, ending 31 March 2021, said that the charity’s former CEO was advanced funds totalling £12,000. Repayments of £5,000 were made but the remaining £6,000 remained outstanding by the year end.
The total expenditure identified as being fraudulent or not recovered from the CEO was £11,000 according to the charity.
Its report also criticised the former boss’ financial record keeping as being of a “poor standard”.
The charity’s accounts for the year ending 31 March 2022 have not been filed.
An OSCR spokesperson said: “OSCR is aware of these matters, and we have engaged with the charity. We cannot comment any further at this time.”
Civil Society News contacted HIV Scotland for comment but did not receive a response.
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