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Paul and Sandra Dunham admit US fraud charges Paul and Sandra Dunham admit US fraud charges
(about 1 hour later)
A UK couple accused of defrauding the US company they worked for have admitted the charges against them. A British couple accused of defrauding the US company they worked for have admitted the charges against them.
Paul and Sandra Dunham, from Collingtree, Northamptonshire, had denied expenses fraud and money laundering totalling $1m (£640,000). Paul and Sandra Dunham, from Collingtree, Northamptonshire, had always denied any wrongdoing and had fought extradition to the US.
Earlier this month, their trial in the US was postponed until next year, but they have now made plea agreements. But they admitted $1m (£640,000) of expenses fraud and money laundering in plea agreements with US authorities.
The couple, who fought against extradition to the US, will be sentenced in January. The pair had spent the money on a Barbados timeshare, luxury bedding and a dog sofa.
In an agreement with the US Attorney in Maryland, both husband and wife admitted "conspiracy to commit wire fraud". A US Department of Justice spokeswoman said other personal expenses, falsely described as business expenditure, included "personal legal fees, expensive furniture, and a domed pet residence".
The pair had charged personal expenses to their corporate credit cards when they worked for PACE, an electronics repair company. In an agreement with the US Attorney in Maryland, both admitted "conspiracy to commit wire fraud".
A US Department of Justice spokeswoman said these expenses included "mortgage payments on time shares in Barbados, luxury bedding for their home, a dog sofa and other personal expenses". Mr Dunham, 59, pleaded guilty to an additional charge of money laundering.
Mr Dunham pleaded guilty to an additional charge of money laundering. Between 2002 and 2009, the pair had charged personal expenses to their corporate credit cards when they worked for PACE, an electronics repair company.
The couple had fought extradition but their bids were rejected by the High Court and the European Court of Human Rights earlier this year. They had also billed the European arm of the company for expenses they had already claimed from the worldwide arm.
The couple had sought to avoid extradition to the US by appealing to the High Court and the European Court of Human Rights, but their bids were rejected.
In May, Mr and Mrs Dunham were taken to hospital on the day they were due to report to police and be flown out of the UK.
On 22 May, they were handed over to US Marshalls at Heathrow's Terminal Four by officers from the Met Police's extradition unit.
Earlier this month, their trial in the US was postponed until next year.
The couple had been staying with friends in North Carolina who offered their house as collateral.
Mr and Mrs Dunham have agreed to pay back the $1m they claimed.
Mr Dunham faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the expenses fraud and money laundering.
Because of her plea agreement, his wife, 58, will be sentenced to 60 days in prison.
The pair will be sentenced in January.