Accountant Jailed for £2.5m Gambling Fraud

An accountant from St Nicholas in the Vale of Glamorgan has been sentenced to five years in prison after stealing millions from her employer to fund a gambling addiction 💰⚖️

Jemma Lewis, 40, pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by abuse of position at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, July 24. Over six years, she moved £3.65 million from her employer’s accounts to her own, disguising the transfers as legitimate company payments.

After removing legitimate payments and loans, investigators calculated Lewis had benefited by more than £2.491 million – money that was lost to gambling.

Officer in the case DC Adam Segarty said: “Most of these ill-gained funds unfortunately went on gambling and Lewis would re-gamble any winnings. She is now left with very little to show for the £2.491 million.

“The fraud has had a devastating impact of the victim, Lewis’ employer of 18 years, his family, and all that who worked for him. One colleague resigned due to mental health believing they were the reason work projects were failing due to lack of funds.

“We welcome the sentence imposed by Newport Crown Court and hope it will act as a deterrent to other individuals engaged in fraud or other types of economic crime.”