S4C News can reveal that the chief officer of one of the largest elderly charities in North Wales has been dismissed following financial fraud.
Translated from -
https://newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/prif-swyddog-elusen-ir-henoed-gogledd-wedi-diswyddo-dilyn-twyll-ariannol
Caryl Jones was Chief Officer at the Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn charity until she was made redundant at the end of January.
The fraud was referred to the police by the charity's trustees.
This
led to Caryl Jones receiving a conditional warning from the police
following an allegation of fraud through misuse of office.
In
a statement to S4C News, North Wales Police said: "We can confirm that
officers have investigated an allegation of fraud through misuse of
office following a report made to us on 9 February.
"A
33-year-old woman was subsequently arrested in connection with the
incident, and the matter resulted in a conditional caution."
A person must admit guilt when receiving a conditional warning from the police.
In
a statement Caryl Jones told S4C News that the "issues you refer to are
part of an ongoing legal dispute" in an employment tribunal.
"Due to the nature of these legal proceedings, I am unable to comment further at this time."
In
response to questions from S4C News, Dafydd Iwan, chairman of trustees
of Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn, said that the charity had gone "through
the appropriate steps under the direction of our employment advisers,
and that led to the dismissal of the Chief Executive on January 30th".
"Because
there was fraud related to money in the case, it was our duty to bring
the facts to the attention of the police," he said.
He
said that the financial fraud that the charity knew about had
"definitely been repaid", but Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn did not want to
reveal the exact amount of the fraud.
He
added that Age Cymru Gwynedd and Môn are partners within the Age Cymru
network, and part of Age UK, and that "they have received very ready and
practical help from Age Cymru and Age UK in this matter".
"An
experience like this certainly makes us more aware of the need to
ensure security and internal protection in the charity, and we are
currently strengthening our internal policies," he said.
"Protecting
our services for the elderly by strengthening our internal systems is a
priority for us, with the help of Age Cymru and Age UK."
Caryl Jones was appointed to the post in the summer of 2023. Before that she was Senior Strategic Care Manager with the charity.
According
to information on the Charity Commission website, Age Cymru Gwynedd and
Anglesey employs 50 people and receives an income of £1,040,349, which
includes contracts and grants from the government.
The charity operates from its headquarters in Bontnewydd near Caernarfon.
https://newyddion.s4c.cymru/article/prif-swyddog-elusen-ir-henoed-gogledd-wedi-diswyddo-dilyn-twyll-ariannol
