The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Bar boss stole more than £19k
Amanager at a popular bar and restaurant has admitted embezzling more than £19,000 from the business. James Killen, 36, from Auchterarder, stole the cash from Lebowskis in Finnieston, Glasgow, between October 22 and 30 2018.
He took advantage of a new banking system to help himself to £19,059 but was caught after an audit.
Killen pled guilty to a single charge of embezzlement at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
It heard that Killen was employed as general manager of Lebowskis from 2015 until his 2018 arrest. Two duty managers also worked with him at the time.
The owners emailed senior employees, including Killen, about a new banking process in August 2018. The message stated that it was the responsibility of the duty managers to process and collate the takings.
The cash and a print-out of the takings were to be kept together.
The takings would be banked and a receipt obtained the following day.
A company audit by a senior manager took place in October 2018.
Prosecutor Victoria Keel said: “It became apparent that no banking receipts were available from October 22 to October 30. On checking with the bank, it was confirmed that this was not done.”
Management spoke to Killen, who provided “no explanation” but issued an apology for not following the new process. He claimed “personal issues” were to blame.
Killen was suspended pending an investigation which found he had told the duty managers he would be the only person dealing with the takings. He would come in on his days off to do this.
Miss Keel added: “During those dates, the amount that should have been banked was £19,059.06.
“None of the amount was banked and was appropriated by Killen. What Killen did with the money is unknown to the prosecutor.”
Brian Fitzpatrick, defending, said: “He was going through a difficult personal period. There was a marital breakdown, leading to excessive drinking and his judgment was affected.”
Sentence was deferred, pending background reports, until January by Sheriff Iain Fleming, who said: “Don’t construe that by your bail being continued that you will avoid a custodial sentence.”