Finance Employee Jailed For Fraud Over 30 Year Period

Friday 3rd March, 2023

A University of Brighton employee who stole over £2million over a 30-year period has been convicted in court.

The 64 year old Head of Income and Payments, used his position to embezzle £2.4million from the university and covered up his activity through fraudulent entries in the university’s accounts.

As the years progressed, David Hall found it increasingly difficult to hide his fraudulent activities and was eventually discovered by the university. As soon as the scale was apparent the university immediately instructed the police.

An independent financial investigation commissioned by the university, alongside the police investigation, uncovered a complex string of financial cover-ups by Hall which were only revealed through forensic scrutiny.

Hall admitted his offences soon after and was charged with fraud by abuse of position, theft by an employee and false accounting.

At Brighton Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to all charges. He is due to be sentenced at a court to be confirmed on 16 March.

Investigator, Rose Horan said; “After an audit uncovered the scale of Hall’s embezzlement, the University of Brighton was quick to report the fraud to Sussex Police and their support throughout the investigation has been invaluable in bringing David Hall to justice."

Mr Hall is likely to face a lengthy prison sentence.