FATTORE:JAIL FOR HIGH-FLIER WHO FLEECED BOSSES TO FUND GAMBLING HABIT

A high-flier at accounting giant Ernst & Young was jailed for 14 months today (mon) for pocketing more than £96,000 in an expenses scam to fund her gambling addiction.

Sharon Fattore, 43, defrauded the firm for 10 months while working as their £80,000-a-year UK chief of travel and facilities.

Fattore splashed out at casinos and on running a restaurant business, Inner London Crown Court heard.

Five casino membership cards were found at her home in (10) Factory Road, Hinckley, Leics, when she was arrested after confessing to a manager.

Fattore was trusted with the funds as she was responsible for booking meetings for colleagues and company partners.

But she simply siphoned off money she was supposed to use to pay off the company credit card, Inner London Crown Court heard.

Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting, told how Fattore ripped off her bosses between April 2007 and March 2008.

‘Apart from the first payment, she failed to use the money she was given to clear the outstanding balance.

‘During that time she spent a total of £281,851.34 on the card, but made £185,000 in payments.

‘Some £96,524.80 was left unpaid.’

He added: ‘On March 10 she contacted her manager and said she was having problems settling the outstanding balance.

‘She claimed someone had accessed her bank card and PIN and taken the money without her knowledge.

‘But in interview she said she wished to take full responsibility and that the money had been used partly to support a restaurant business and partly to fund a gambling addiction.

‘It was well known that she used to frequent casinos and five membership cards were found at her address when she was arrested.’

Fattore lost her job when her deception was uncovered and has been working as a warehouse assistant since then, the court was told.

Alasdair (corr) King, for Fattore, said: ‘Her fall from grace has been spectacular.

‘Her opportunities to re-climb the ladder, one can only imagine, will be limited.

‘Financial services will be particularly difficult for her to find re-employment in, if not impossible.’

But he added: ‘This is not an MPs expenses-type fraud.

‘It is different in that the expenses are legitimate and properly incurred.

‘This is simply a woman who has not made the requisite payments, albeit large ones.’

Jailing Fattore for 14 months, Judge Usha Karu said: ‘A considerable, substantial sum had built up and to some extent, you must have known you were using it to fund your own gambling addiction.

‘I certainly cannot accept the money was being taken without your knowledge.

‘You are a bright, intelligent woman who unfortunately has to face the consequences of what may have been a misjudgement on your part.

‘The reality is this was  gross breach of trust, which merits an immediate custodial sentence.’

Fattore, of (10) Factory Road, Hinckley, Leics, admitted fraud by abuse of position.

A proceeds of crime hearing is due to take place in November.
ends