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Awema charity was 'short of cash,' Naz Malik trial told Awema: 'Boss defrauded struggling charity' trial told
(35 minutes later)
A race equality charity chief's fraud trial has been hearing claims about how he used the organisation's cash to pay for life assurance for his wife.A race equality charity chief's fraud trial has been hearing claims about how he used the organisation's cash to pay for life assurance for his wife.
Naz Malik is also accused of cashing cheques from the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) to pay off personal credit card debts.Naz Malik is also accused of cashing cheques from the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (Awema) to pay off personal credit card debts.
The jury at Swansea Crown Court heard on Thursday that the alleged insurance fraud came at a time when Awema was struggling financially.The jury at Swansea Crown Court heard on Thursday that the alleged insurance fraud came at a time when Awema was struggling financially.
Mr Malik denies three fraud charges.Mr Malik denies three fraud charges.
Previously the court was told that a life assurance policy costing Awema £90-a-month started back in April 2008. It would pay out £120,000 to Mr Malik's wife if he died.Previously the court was told that a life assurance policy costing Awema £90-a-month started back in April 2008. It would pay out £120,000 to Mr Malik's wife if he died.
By early 2012, the insurance policy had racked up a direct debit bill of more than £3,500.By early 2012, the insurance policy had racked up a direct debit bill of more than £3,500.
The prosecution say that the money should never have been paid out by the charity.The prosecution say that the money should never have been paid out by the charity.
Mr Malik told police he had taken a personal salary sacrifice to cover the insurance costs, and life assurance policies were being developed as a benefit for Awema staff.Mr Malik told police he had taken a personal salary sacrifice to cover the insurance costs, and life assurance policies were being developed as a benefit for Awema staff.
However, on Thursday the jury was given a clearer picture of the charity's finances by its treasurer, Stephen Matthews.However, on Thursday the jury was given a clearer picture of the charity's finances by its treasurer, Stephen Matthews.
'Relying on reserves''Relying on reserves'
The charity was setup to develop equality and diversity projects across Wales, distributing grants, and it received its core funding from the Welsh government and EU cash.The charity was setup to develop equality and diversity projects across Wales, distributing grants, and it received its core funding from the Welsh government and EU cash.
However, Awema was wound up in 2012 when its public funding was stopped after claims of financial mismanagement.However, Awema was wound up in 2012 when its public funding was stopped after claims of financial mismanagement.
Giving evidence, the former treasurer told the jury that the charity was relying on its core funding and reserves in the months before the insurance policy was taken out.Giving evidence, the former treasurer told the jury that the charity was relying on its core funding and reserves in the months before the insurance policy was taken out.
He said the charity was "in between projects" at that time, and without new projects the body "would have to fold".He said the charity was "in between projects" at that time, and without new projects the body "would have to fold".
The jury was also told the defendant's annual salary at the time was £52,651 and the total annual wage bill for the charity's four core members of staff was £127,000 pounds.The jury was also told the defendant's annual salary at the time was £52,651 and the total annual wage bill for the charity's four core members of staff was £127,000 pounds.
Mr Malik also denies fraudulently cashing cheques worth more than £11,000 to pay of his own credit card debts.Mr Malik also denies fraudulently cashing cheques worth more than £11,000 to pay of his own credit card debts.
The trial continues.The trial continues.