Rowling sues former assistant for £24,000

● Author accuses ex-employee of using her money to fund shopping trips

By DAVID MEIKLE Legal papers lodged at Airdrie Sheriff Court allege Donaldson wrongly benefited to a value of £23,696.32 by spending on a company business credit card and taking Harry Potter merchandise.

Rowling, 53, is using her married name Joanne Murray in the action.

It is claimed Donaldson had responsibility for funds and was provided with a credit card for buying items in connection with business and personal affairs only.

She had to submit statements and receipts once a month to the accountants and also had access to a safe containing foreign money. But discrepancies were picked up in February last year on statements revealing a high volume of personal spending by Donaldson. She had a meeting with an accountant to discuss use of card and was suspended.

Rowling has alleged Donaldson spent £823 at Bibi Bakery, £1,482 with luxury candle company Jo Malone, £264 in Boots, £115 in Costa Coffee and £3,629 in cosmetic firm Molton Brown. She is seeking damages for further claims she spent £117 in M&S Simply Food, £2,139 in card shop Paper Tiger, £1,636 in Starbucks and £235 in book store Waterstones. She is also claiming Donaldson claimed £107 for a refund from department store John Lewis for a Lego set. Rowling also claims 0 JK Rowling says Harry Potter toys were taken

Donaldson, who controlled memorabilia requests from fans, used her position to steal Harry Potter Motorised Hogwarts Express worth £467.56, a Harry Potter Wizard Collection worth £2,231.76 and a Harry Potter Tales of Beedle The Bard Set worth £395.

She also alleges Donaldson took a Harry Potter Monster Book of Monsters worth £47, two Harry Potter Crystal Ornaments valued at £48 and Harry Potter Pin Badges worth £24.

Rowling says the toys were taken with her “knowledge or consent”.

It is claimed Donaldson bought two cats worth £1,200 and withdrew £400 in cash for a deposit for a restaurant lunch but Rowling’s husband Neil Murray discovered no deposit had been paid. The author has also claimed her former employee took £7,742 of foreign money from a safe.

Rowling alleges she suffered losses as a consequence of fraud perpetrated against her by Donaldson.

She claims Donaldson deceived her and “would not have settled business card payments or allowed access to safe or Harry Potter merchandise without having been deceived” and says Donaldson has refused or delayed making payment.

Donaldson has denied the claims and said Rowling has “not suffered any loss and is not entitled to damages” from her.

A spokeswoman for Rowling said: “I can confirm JK Rowling has taken legal action against her former personal assistant, Amanda Donaldson, following her dismissal for gross misconduct involving a substantial breach of trust.”

The case before Sheriff Derek O’carroll is due back in court later this year.