Gambling Addict Manager of UK Charity Sentenced on Embezzlement Charges

Gambling Addict Manager of UK Charity Sentenced on Embezzlement Charges.

Costfoto / NurPhoto / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

She was supposed to be managing the finances of a nonprofit in Wales. Instead, Bethan Hopkins the funds and spent the money gambling online, for which she received her sentencing this week.

Safer Wales charityA group of women spell out the name of charity Safer Wales with umbrellas. The organization is trying to recover after a former employee embezzled money for gambling. (Image: InterCardiff)

Media outlet detailed how Hopkins, a financial manager for Safer Wales, concocted a scheme to steal money from the charity. The £66,000 (US$80,407) she took will never make it to the victims of domestic abuse, rape and hate crimes the entity supports.

Hopkins used more than £47,000 (US$57,288) of the entity’s money to feed her online gambling addiction. The remaining £19,000 (US$23,219), which she took through creating a fake charity volunteer, went to purchases on Amazon.

Hopkins worked for Safer Wales for 20 years. The company began noticing something was wrong when records showed Hopkins received at least one unauthorized salary advance.

That led to the discovery that there were additional unexpected deposits to her bank account directly from the charity.

Gambling Addiction Leads to Theft

As a result, in November 2020, Safer Wales suspended her. However, her antics didn’t stop there. Hopkins managed to withdraw more money from the charity’s accounts, which she used in a futile attempt to win back what she lost. Ultimately, the company fired her in February of last year.

Out of options, Safer Wales filed a complaint with police, who arrested Hopkins. She admitted to her actions, arguing that her was responsible. However, when she learned how much she had stolen, she was reportedly “shocked” at the amount.

In addition to the direct financial losses the charity incurred, it also had to spend another £50,000 (US$60,930) on the investigation that determined how extensive the theft was. That means Safer Wales lost £116,000 (US$141,276) it couldn’t use to support its causes. In return, it only received £25,000 (US$30,465) through an insurance payout.

Court Judge Responds

The arrest led to a court case, but Hopkins wouldn’t appear in person for disciplinary hearings. Instead, she provided some details to the court through emails, explaining that the past two years took a toll on her mental health, leading her to steal as she sought refuge through online gambling.

In her sentencing hearing, her lawyer sought sympathy, asserting that her client was “desperate” and was suffering from depression.

The judge overseeing the case, Paul Hobson, heard that there was no way Hopkins could repay the funds, as she is currently out of work. He considered sending her off with a lengthy prison sentence. But he ultimately settled on a two-year prison sentence that he suspended for 18 months.

In addition, she will need to perform 200 hours of community service and go through rehabilitation.

Article Sources
Band KISS to Build Biloxi Casino Resort on Site of Former Margaritaville Property editorial policy.
  1. This Pizza & Wings Costs $653 at Allegiant VIP Box in Vegas!

Compare Accounts
×
Coronavirus Crushes Casino Stocks, MGM, Wynn Resorts Approach 52-Week Lows
Provider
Name
Description
Macau Gaming Boss Extended Two Years, Will Oversee License Renewals  Meister’s Corvex Doubles Stake in Kindred  China Online Gambling Crackdown: Over 11,500 Arrests Since February  Las Vegas Casinos Implement Basic Coronavirus Precautions as Anxiety Builds  NBA Veteran Guard Jamal Crawford Adds Name to Athletes Mixed Up in Gambling Scandals  Band KISS to Build Biloxi Casino Resort on Site of Former Margaritaville Property  Crown Resorts Suitability Inquiry Suspended Due to Pending Court Appeal  Somerville Drops Case Against Wynn Boston Harbor  Tom Brady Rumored to Be Leaving Pats, Odds Shorten on Las Vegas Raiders Landing 6x Super Bowl Champ  Atlantic City Casino Sector “Right-sized” and Resurgent in 2016