Rowling’s PA ordered to pay back fraud money
A former personal assistant of JK Rowling has been ordered to repay £18,734 to the Harry Potter author after ruling she obtained the money fraudulently.
Ms Rowling sought damages against Amanda Donaldson in a civil case brought under the author’s married name Joanne Murray.
In a written determination issued after the case was heard at Airdrie Sheriff Court, Sheriff Derek O’carroll found during her employment Ms Donaldson obtained £18,734 through fraud.
He said “having obtained
£18,734 from the pursuer by means of her fraudulent misrepresentation” she is bound to repay the sum to her former employer together with interest at 8 per cent.
In a statement, the Harry Potter author said: “JK Rowling is pleased that Sheriff O’carroll has ruled that her former PA Amanda Donaldson must repay the money she fraudulently misappropriated from Ms Rowling.
“From the outset Ms Rowling made it clear that the decision to take this matter to court was a last resort and not for her personal benefit but rather to protect the reputation of her existing staff and to make sure Ms Donaldson is not in a position to breach the trust of another employer.
“Terms of the recovery will be decided in due course and the money owed will be donated to JK Rowling’s charity Lumos.” Ms Rowling alleged Ms Donaldson made transactions including more than £3,000 in retailer Molton Brown, £2,139 in card shop Paper Tiger and more than £1,619 in Starbucks and Costa coffee shops on a company credit card without authorisation.
Ms Donaldson was also accused of fraudulently obtaining £7,742 of foreign currency, more than £1,500 in cash and Harry Potter merchandise worth £3,213.
Mr O’carroll found Ms Donaldson had use of a business credit card in her name but knew and understood it was not to be used for her personal benefit.