Architect forced to sell East Lothian castle after £300k charity theft
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An architect who embezzled more than £350,000 from a charity has been ordered to sell his East Lothian castle to pay back the money.
Ian Brash admitted embezzling £358,832 from the Dr Robert Malcolm Trust between August 12, 2010 and September 10, 2014 when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last year.
Image by Greig Brash - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
The retired architect had been a trustee for the charity, which helped provide financial assistance to British medical students and doctors.
According to reports, Mr Brash used the money to purchase an Alpha Romeo, two new Land Rovers and paid tens of thousands of pounds to fund deposits for buy-to-let properties for his children. He also bought a wind turbine and paid off large vet bills.
Charity regulator OSCR became “concerned about the movement of funds” from the charity bank account to Mr Brash’s personal account in 2012 and an investigation was set up.
The architect claimed he was using his own accounts to buy shares for the future benefit of the charity but failed to provide the regulator with any evidence.
An OSCR spokesperson said: “OSCR opened its inquiry into this charity in 2012.
“Our inquiries into this complex case indicated suggested there had been criminal conduct, so in line with our published policies we made a report to the prosecuting authorities.
“Since then we have worked with the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service and Police Scotland to support the prosecution of Ian Brash.
“We were pleased to note the verdict in the case, which shows that criminality in Scottish charities will be investigated and dealt with appropriately.
“We are considering the future of the charity.”
Mr Brash is now facing a possible custodial sentence.
Sheriff Frank Crowe has twice deferred sentence to allow the businessman time to sell his historic Category A-Listed family home where he has lived for the past 30 years.
The 15th century, four-storey Fa’side Castle near Tranent has six bedrooms, four reception rooms and a Great Hall and is expected to be on the market over the coming weeks for offers over £1.9 million.
Mr Brash is due to return to court for sentencing in April.
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