Campbell Blames Co-Trustee for Financial Misconduct
Supermodel Naomi Campbell has asserted that a fellow trustee was responsible for "identity fraud and deception" leading to the significant misdirection of funds from her former charity, Fashion for Relief. Campbell made these claims during an appeal hearing aimed at overturning a five-year ban from serving as a charity trustee.
During the tribunal on Tuesday, Campbell accused Bianka Hellmich, a co-trustee and lawyer, of forging her signature and impersonating her through a fraudulent email address to divert money intended for the charity. Campbell stated that her "only mistake" was placing her trust in Hellmich.
Charity Ban and Allegations of Misconduct
In 2024, Campbell received a five-year ban from charity involvement after a UK regulatory body uncovered extensive evidence of financial misconduct. Campbell has consistently denied any personal wrongdoing. Bianka Hellmich, who has previously refuted the allegations, was banned for nine years, while a third trustee, Veronica Chou, received a four-year disqualification.
The watchdog's investigation revealed that hundreds of thousands of pounds, which should have benefited the charity, were instead spent on luxury hotels, spa treatments, cigarettes, and security services for the supermodel.
"I trusted the wrong person, what more do you want?" Campbell told the court, when pressed as to whether she should have done more due diligence. "You trusted her too," she said, referring to The Charity Commission, "because you were in communication with her until we let you know that you were deceived."
Andrew Westwood KC, Campbell's lawyer, submitted in written statements that Hellmich had "carried out a long-term and consistent scheme of mismanagement and deception in relation to the running of the charity" and had concealed these actions from others. Campbell, 56, also alleged that Hellmich misrepresented her credentials as a charity lawyer, admitting that she did not perform reference or credential checks because Hellmich "came across as a lawyer" and had held "official positions."
Trustee Responsibilities and Police Referral
Westwood argued that Hellmich had advised Campbell that she could "confine herself to a limited role" within the charity, essentially acting as a figurehead while Hellmich managed regulatory and financial duties. However, Faisel Sadiq, the Charity Commission's lawyer, contended in a written submission that Campbell could not "abdicate" her responsibilities as a trustee to merely be a figurehead.
The tribunal was informed that both Campbell's legal team and The Charity Commission have referred the allegations of forgery and fraud to the police. The Commission confirmed to the BBC that a report was made concerning allegations of fraud and providing false or misleading information to the Commission, rather than reporting any specific individual.
Background of Fashion for Relief
Fashion for Relief was established with the goal of uniting the fashion industry to combat poverty and advance health and education, primarily through grants to other organizations and resource provision for global disasters. Campbell stated that the charity began in the US and did not encounter issues until its registration in the UK.
In March 2024, Fashion for Relief was dissolved and removed from the register of charities. Campbell expressed her love for the charity work, refuting suggestions that her involvement was for "PR," stating, "I'm already famous enough."
The Charity Commission, which oversees charities in England and Wales, initiated an investigation into Fashion for Relief in 2021. An examination of expenses between April 2016 and July 2022 found that only 8.5% of the funds raised were allocated to charitable grants. It also emerged that Unicef UK had lodged a complaint against the charity after Fashion for Relief falsely claimed collaboration with Unicef and held a fundraising event for the organization, but no money was ever remitted to the global children's charity.
The tribunal is ongoing.
Source: Naomi Campbell blames lawyer for 'fraud and deception' at charity ban appeal