Cosmetics giant Avon may owe a top solicitor more

Cosmetics giant Avon may owe a top solicitor more than pnds stlg 2,000 after ordering her to repay cash in an expenses row.

Maria Fernandes, 40, forged her boss’s signature because she was so embarrassed at claiming for mileage when she could not even drive.

She was sacked from her job with the make-up firm when the scandal was uncovered.

But it today (MON) emerged the company made her repay pnds stlg 6,600 for legal books – which it then allegedly sent back to the publishers for a refund.

Solicitors’ Discplinary Tribunal member Colin Chesterton said: ‘It looks as though Avon owes her about pnds stlg 2,000, at least.

‘I am concerned that Avon is having its cake and eating it.

‘

Chris Bonney-Jones, for the Law Society, told how Fernandes faked the signature 25 times in four months during 1999 when she worked as an in-house solicitor for the firm in Northampton.

Although she was entitled to mileage allowance, she hated going to boss John Warwick for the money because he knew she could not drive and had to get lifts from her husband.

Fernandes said Mr Warwick would rib her about the situation and it made her embarrassed.

Apart from travelling expenses, Fernandes had also spent pnds stlg 6,600 on new legal books for the company’s library.

She repaid that money when the problems were uncovered, as the company alleged she had ‘misappropriated’ the books.

But today Fernandes told the tribunal she had never taken them from the office – and claimed Avon sent them back to publishers Butterworths and got the money back.

Fernandes admitted forging signatures on expense claims forms, but said she had fallen pregnant for the first time aged 38 and was in a daze.

She told the committee she had constant problems with the pregnancy, and was worried sick because she had suffered two miscarriages in the past.

She also alleged that Avon treated her badly in the run-up to the birth.

Fernandes, who was one of the firm’s star solicitors and won many tribunal cases, said: ‘I did not know what I was doing, but it is not an excuse.

‘I am mortally horrified, embarrassed, and disgusted with myself.

I am so sorry.

‘

The central London hearing was told Fernandes admitted forging the signature to claim expenses from the firm’s offices in Nun Mills Road, Northampton.

The tribunal found a second allegation, that she claimed expenses to which she was not entitled, not proved against her.

Fernandes will hear her fate later today.

(MON)
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