This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/10/nigella-lawson-charles-saatchi-spending-cupcake-pas-fraud-trial

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi PAs' spending 'unchecked for years' Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi PAs' spending 'unchecked for years'
(35 minutes later)
Spending on credit card accounts used by staff in Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi's household was not scrutinised for several years, Saatchi's accountant has told the fraud trial of the couples' former assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo. Spending on credit card accounts used by staff in Nigella Lawson and Charles Saatchi's household was not scrutinised for several years, Saatchi's accountant has told the fraud trial of the couple's former assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo.
The statements of cards issued by Coutts bank to the Grillos and three other assistants – together known as "Team Cupcake" – were not checked before the bills were settled by Saatchi on direct debit. The court previously heard claims the bills on the cards that were issued for household spending, rose as high as £100,000 per month. The statements of cards issued by Coutts bank to the Grillos and three other assistants – together known as "Team Cupcake" – were not checked before the bills were settled by Saatchi on direct debit. The court previously heard claims the bills on the cards that were issued for household spending, rose as high as £100,000 a month.
The Grillo sisters are accused of fraudulently spending £685,000 on the cards and other domestic accounts over a four-year period but the court heard confirmation from Rahul Gajjar, Saatchi's accountant, that "line by line, these statements have never been scrutinised". The Grillo sisters are accused of fraudulently spending £685,000 on the cards and other domestic accounts over a four-year period, but the court heard confirmation from Rahul Gajjar, Saatchi's accountant, that "line by line, these statements have never been scrutinised".
Under cross-examination from Anthony Metzer QC, representing Elisabetta Grillo, he agreed that it was therefore not possible to tell if one of Lawson's other assistants, Anzelle Wasserman, had also used the card for personal purchases.Under cross-examination from Anthony Metzer QC, representing Elisabetta Grillo, he agreed that it was therefore not possible to tell if one of Lawson's other assistants, Anzelle Wasserman, had also used the card for personal purchases.
"The summaries were looked at and the details were not scrutinised," Gajjar said, explaining what happened to the credit card statements for the Grillos and three other assistants when they were sent to his office in Colindale, north-west London. "They were put through the ledger and filed away.""The summaries were looked at and the details were not scrutinised," Gajjar said, explaining what happened to the credit card statements for the Grillos and three other assistants when they were sent to his office in Colindale, north-west London. "They were put through the ledger and filed away."
Metzer asked: "It was a matter of complete indifference to you what the Coutts cards were being used for was it?"Metzer asked: "It was a matter of complete indifference to you what the Coutts cards were being used for was it?"
Gajaar said it was.Gajaar said it was.
"It could have been £1m a month and you still wouldn't have been interested," Metzer said."It could have been £1m a month and you still wouldn't have been interested," Metzer said.
Gajaar said at that point he would have been interested.Gajaar said at that point he would have been interested.
Metzer, whose client claims her spending was authorised by the Lawson and Saatchi household, challenged Gajjar's account that the bills were not examined line by line. Metzer said there was evidence from the statements that some of the lines of spending appeared to have been signed by a member of Gajjar's accounting staff and members of Team Cupcake including Wasserman and Zoe Wales.Metzer, whose client claims her spending was authorised by the Lawson and Saatchi household, challenged Gajjar's account that the bills were not examined line by line. Metzer said there was evidence from the statements that some of the lines of spending appeared to have been signed by a member of Gajjar's accounting staff and members of Team Cupcake including Wasserman and Zoe Wales.
Those signatures, Gajjar said, were there because the personal assistant in question may have alerted the accountants to the fact it was a business rather than household expense and so could be offset against tax. But it was not the case that the statements were being scrutinised line by line.Those signatures, Gajjar said, were there because the personal assistant in question may have alerted the accountants to the fact it was a business rather than household expense and so could be offset against tax. But it was not the case that the statements were being scrutinised line by line.
Wasserman, Wales and another assistant are due to give evidence today. Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo deny fraud. The trial continues. Wasserman, Wales and another assistant are due to give evidence on Tuesday. Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo deny fraud. The trial continues.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.