The former chief executive of a now-defunct charity has admitted embezzling £5,000 from it.
On Friday, the BBC reported that Nathan Sparling, former CEO of HIV Scotland, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court he “accepted full responsibility” for taking money from the charity.
The court heard that, as CEO, Sparling could make purchases of up to £50 using HIV Scotland’s funds for charitable purposes without prior authorisation.
A charity employee noticed a large number of taxi rides had been charged to the charity’s account and raised the issue with Sparling.
The court heard that Sparling spent £2,000 on Uber journeys and £3,000 on Amazon packages, including groceries and technical goods, that were delivered to his home.
Sparling’s solicitor told the court he felt a “certain amount of complacency”, as he had been working at HIV Scotland for a long time.
Charity closed
Sparling became CEO of HIV Scotland in 2018 and resigned in 2021 after a review found he had made fraudulent transactions that were not in pursuit of the charity’s objectives.
In 2023, Police Scotland told Civil Society that it had arrested Sparling and charged him in connection with financial offences.
HIV Scotland was registered as a charity in 2003 to further educate the public about the health of those diagnosed with HIV and related conditions.
In May 2023, the charity presented a petition to wind up to the Court of Session, Scotland’s supreme civil court, after losing a large number of its trustees.
Sparling’s sentencing is scheduled for 20 May after background reports have been completed.
