Former tax boss charged with £5m fraud
The Wolverhampton-based former president of the Association of Taxation Technicians has been charged alongside three others with stealing £5m through tax fraud, HM Revenue & Customs has said.
Andrew Meeson, former head of the tax association, of 12 George Street, Wolverhampton, was charged with three West Midlands-based associates with the multimillion-pound theft through a tax fraud targeting the pension industry.
Peter Spencer Bradley, of The Forge, Springhill Lane, Lower Penn Wolverhampton, was also charged alongside Alison Jayne Bradley, of the same address, and Steven Price of Pine Tops, Pratts Lane, Mappleborough Green, Studley. All three administered a pension scheme prior to the conviction.
The four were arrested last year in dawn raids carried out by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). They took place at residential and business premises in the West Midlands, Derby and Leicester.
All defendants were charged with conspiracy to cheat the revenue after being summonsed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday (31 October). They have all been bailed until 9 November to appear at Birmingham Crown Court.
Simon De Kayne, assistant director of criminal investigation for HMRC, said: "Today four people have been charged linked to what we believe is a fraud resulting in over £5m being stolen from public funds. We are committed to bringing such cases to the courts and depriving those involved of the proceeds of their crime."
