Cheating Accountant got us into debt.

Geezah_2

Hi all,

Both me and my Step-father fell foul of this accountant

http://www.taxationweb.co.uk/news/news.php?id=341

I've now got the HMRC chasing me for money which he stole from me... And my Step-father is due in court tomorrow for a preliminary hearing. Both he and my mother are over 60 and scared out of their wits!

I wondered if there were anyone else on these boards who had been affected by this man? And could anyone offer any advice - any help would be greatly appreciated, as I've already lost my business due to him and occured a debt which is crippling me and my family.

I have a lovely wife who has just given birth to twins and the HMRC are putting tremendous strain on us!!! I have thought about going bankrupt, but I am worried about losing our house. A friend said we couldn't lose it as its not in my name. And I have no assets!


Kindest Regards

Geezah

taxi73

I haven't fell foul of him thankfully...I'm so sorry you have surely the courts will understand your position as the man has actually been done in court..so...this shows you did everything honestly ..it was him that submitted the tax forms illegally unbeknown to the clients...it's absolutely horrifying and am really upset for you but honestly don't know what the answer is...being self-employed myself it's hard to know how to get a trustworthy accountant...I worry about these things myself as well...good luck in sorting this dire mess out.

tigerfeet2006

Hi Geezah,

Sorry to hear about your problems. Hopefully the courts will look at the case and realise it is not yours or your parents fault.

Check out the links at the top of the page and give CCCS or National Debtline a ring and discuss all the ins and outs of your finances and they can tell you if going BR is an option. If it is suggested then pop over to the BR and living with it sub board where you can get excellent advice about things like your house etc. There are a lot of myths surrounding bankruptcy and you may be surprised.

Good luck with it all and keep posting as there are a lot of helpful people here.

maryb

It's just a possibility but he may have had professional indemnity insurance which might enable you to make a claim. However I have to say I think it's likely he wouldn't have paid the premiums - but you should still claim against his trustee in bankruptcy. If he was in partnership the other partners are also jointly liable

Geezah_2

Geezah wrote: »

Hi all,

Both me and my Step-father fell foul of this accountant

http://www.taxationweb.co.uk/news/news.php?id=341

I've now got the HMRC chasing me for money which he stole from me... And my Step-father is due in court tomorrow for a preliminary hearing. Both he and my mother are over 60 and scared out of their wits! Etc. Etc...

Kindest Regards

Geezah

My Step-Father went to court and whilst the court had "every sympathy" he was told he was still liable and had to pay including the 3k interest that had built up!!!

Surely the interest should have been frozen while the trial took place? And even then removed...

I understand that at the end of the day it was us (clients) that were defrauded - but why the hell did it take the Inland revenue over FIVE years to realise this man was conning everyone?

My Parents are pensioners and the Inland Revenue are at fault yet each and everyone of us are being made to suffer.

Regards

Geezah

rog2

Geezah wrote: »

My Step-Father went to court and whilst the court had "every sympathy" he was told he was still liable and had to pay including the 3k interest that had built up!!!

Surely the interest should have been frozen while the trial took place? And even then removed...

I understand that at the end of the day it was us (clients) that were defrauded - but why the hell did it take the Inland revenue over FIVE years to realise this man was conning everyone?

My Parents are pensioners and the Inland Revenue are at fault yet each and everyone of us are being made to suffer.

Regards

Geezah

I feel every sympathy for you and your step-father. I, too, was caught out by two bad accountants - the first one got away with everything by having a 'nervous breakdown' - he spent 6 months stacking trolleys at Tesco, but I understand he is now working as an accountant again. This was 10 years ago, and the Inland Revenue 'assessed' my limited company as being due to pay £24k in corporation taxes. I went before the 'Revenue Commissioner' who simply stated that, ultimately I was responsible for the accuracy of returns, therefore the assessment stood.
The second time, it was simply a case of late returns although my accountant assured, on secvral occasions, me that she had sent off the returns. Cost me about £2k in fines/interest. Again - the Revenue were not interested.
I honestly can not understand their attitude - it is not as though it were you, or your step-father, that personally defrauded HMRC - you paid the accountant in good faith. I hope someone can advise you on how to appeal.

sasparillo

maryb wrote: »

It's just a possibility but he may have had professional indemnity insurance which might enable you to make a claim. However I have to say I think it's likely he wouldn't have paid the premiums - but you should still claim against his trustee in bankruptcy. If he was in partnership the other partners are also jointly liable

I entirely agree with you about the insurance. There must be an insurance indemnity scheme maybe administered through his professional association. Is there an accountants disciplinary tribunal? They may be able to give you the info of whom to contact. But also just go direct to the Insolvency Service http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/contactus/contact.htm about Huggett's insolvency and cut out the insolvency practitioner (the so-called "trustee in bankruptcy" is just an insolvency practitioner - aka IP). The insolvency Service are the ones who draw up the ISA - insolvency service account and pay out, not the IP who is just an IP, or an accountant or solicitor. In fact, the IP when he or she is brought in puts himself or herself on the Insolvency Service account as a creditor and puts him or herself as first to be paid out!

But it doesn't sound as if the Insolvency Service has been liaising with Huggett's banks and the fraud squad, crown prosecution service or whoever is now holding the files of the Huggett's clients. Very remiss of them. Find out which Official Receiver is in charge of the Huggett case and tell the CPS and the Insolvency Service to contact the courts and the HMRC - which already knows about the case in any case by the look of it.

Hmm, it looks as if he was in partnership with his Mum and Dad, whoever they are. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=201238&NewsAreaID=2
I would get in touch with this Rob Mortlake and ask about the indemnity insurance and who is handling the case in the Insolvency Service. Huggett also may be a married man and of course there are the assets of the married couple.

Geezah_2

sasparillo wrote: »

I entirely agree with you about the insurance. There must be an insurance indemnity scheme maybe administered through his professional association. Is there an accountants disciplinary tribunal? They may be able to give you the info of whom to contact. But also just go direct to the Insolvency Service http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/contactus/contact.htm about Huggett's insolvency and cut out the insolvency practitioner (the so-called "trustee in bankruptcy" is just an insolvency practitioner - aka IP). The insolvency Service are the ones who draw up the ISA - insolvency service account and pay out, not the IP who is just an IP, or an accountant or solicitor. In fact, the IP when he or she is brought in puts himself or herself on the Insolvency Service account as a creditor and puts him or herself as first to be paid out!

But it doesn't sound as if the Insolvency Service has been liaising with Huggett's banks and the fraud squad, crown prosecution service or whoever is now holding the files of the Huggett's clients. Very remiss of them. Find out which Official Receiver is in charge of the Huggett case and tell the CPS and the Insolvency Service to contact the courts and the HMRC - which already knows about the case in any case by the look of it.

Hmm, it looks as if he was in partnership with his Mum and Dad, whoever they are. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=201238&NewsAreaID=2
I would get in touch with this Rob Mortlake and ask about the indemnity insurance and who is handling the case in the Insolvency Service. Huggett also may be a married man and of course there are the assets of the married couple.

Hi Sasprillo,

Greg was in originally partnership with his dad, who died just before all this came to light, about 7 years ago. I don't know what happened to his mum? I know he did try starting up again with his sister 'Lisa'. They aquired an office in Thurrock, Essex. But that didn't last long.

This case tied the CPS, Scotland Yard, Inland Revenue etc up in knots. They just seemed to be going round and round in circles And we were never told anything. The first we heard he'd been locked up was in the local newspaper. I'm surprised it never featured in the nationals?

I will get onto Mortlock... Thanx for he advice.

Kindest regards

Geezah