Ex-Asda boss facing prison for £180,000 fraud of its charity

THE former vice-president of corporate affairs at Leeds-headquartered Asda will be sentenced next month after admitting defrauding the company’s charity fund of £180,000.

Paul Kelly pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud at Leeds Crown Court earlier this week. He diverted funds from the Asda Foundation flood victims fund to Murley Dance, a ballet company run by his partner, David Murley.

Kelly had worked at Asda for seven years, and was the company’s chairman for their charitable association. He was also a government adviser on food policy, alcohol and obesity, as well as an ambassador for Prince Charles’ Business in the Community charity.

Kelly was dismissed in September 2014 following the internal investigation into the offence, which took place between July 2013 and May 2014. He will be sentenced on February 16.