The former chief executive of the now-defunct HIV Scotland has been ordered by the courts to repay the £5,000 he embezzled from the charity to a similar organisation.
Nathan Sparling previously admitted to embezzling the money and spending it on Amazon deliveries and Uber trips while serving as the charity’s CEO between 2019 and 2021.
As CEO, Sparling was allowed to make purchases of up to £50 using HIV Scotland’s funds for charitable purposes without prior authorisation.
However, a charity employee subsequently noticed a large number of taxi rides had been charged to the charity’s account and raised the issue with Sparling, leading to his suspension.
HIV Scotland subsequently shut down in March 2023, citing funding pressures and the resignations of board members among the reasons.
Sparling offered to pay money back
It was reported that Sparling told Edinburgh Sheriff Court in an April court hearing that he “accepted full responsibility” for taking money from the charity, and offered to pay back the amount he had embezzled.
Yesterday, Sparling was instead ordered by the sheriff to pay £5,000 in compensation to Waverley Care, which supports people living with HIV and hepatitis, and to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
Sentencing, the sheriff described Sparling's actions as a “breach of trust”.
The sheriff added that Waverley Care had “similar objectives” to HIV Scotland after agreeing to allow Sparling the opportunity to repay the money.
