Ex-charity chief's arrest over fraud claim (From Daily Echo)

Former Open Sight charity boss arrested over fraud claim

3:20pm Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Charity By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter

THE disgraced former head of a Hampshire charity has been arrested on suspicion of fraud at the organisation, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Chris Hedges had been sacked from his role as chief executive of Open Sight over allegations of bullying.

But he has now been arrested by detectives investigating allegations of financial irregularities during his time at the Bishopstoke-based charity, which works with thousands of blind and visually impaired people across the county.

Police were called in to look at claims surrounding possible fraud last January.

It is not known exactly how much money is involved, although the Daily Echo understands it could run into several thousands of pounds.

Hedges, 60, who lives in Boyatt Wood, was arrested last month.

He is currently the only person to have been arrested in connection with the year-long investigation.

After being questioned he was released on bail, pending further enquiries, and is now due to report back to police tomorrow.

It comes after Hedges’ bid to take the charity to an employment tribunal over his sacking ended with an out-of-court compromise agreement following talks through conciliation service ACAS.

He failed in an attempt to appeal the decision to sack him, but launched legal action claiming the charity had failed to give him a “fair hearing”.

He told the Daily Echo at the time he wanted a payout to allow him to: “Move on and start rebuilding my life.”

Experts estimated it could have cost Open Sight, which in 2010 had a total income of £633,000, up to £35,000 to prepare a legal defence to the case.

No details of the settlement have been released because of confidentiality clauses.

Open Sight works to give advice, information and support to 5,000 adults and children every year across southern England, mostly in Hampshire.

While he was suspended over the bullying allegations, Hedges tried to oust four directors from the Open Sight board.

Using his honorary role as company secretary he called an extraordinary general meeting, claiming they were putting the charity at risk by not carrying out their duties properly, but was heavily defeated in a members’ vote.

A Hampshire police spokesman confirmed detectives have, for the past 12 months, been probing expenses claims at Open Sight.

He said: “There has been an investigation into fraudulent expenses claims. A 60-year-old man was arrested on December 6 and bailed to reappear on January 19.”

An Open Sight spokesman confirmed the charity has now reached a settlement with Hedges over his dismissal. He added that the charity is helping with the police investigation, but insisted its operations were unaffected.

He said: “Following a request from Hampshire police, we are fully co-operating with them regarding any information they require for their investigations.

“Meanwhile, Open Sight continues to develop, having had their best year yet for services to the visually impaired people of Hampshire.”