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Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
Jailed for 29 years, four men behind 'corrosive' campaign of corruption that drained NHS of millions
Four men behind a £6.5million campaign of corruption and bribery at health boards across Scotland have been jailed for a total of 29 years. Their crimes involved the awarding of lucrative NHS contracts to an Ayrshire telecoms firm set up in a garden shed. Jurors heard details of widespread corruption, including managers being bribed into awarding large contracts with gifts worth tens of thousands of pounds. Adam Sharoudi, 41, of Motherwell, and Gavin Brown, 48, of Prestwick in Ayrshire, ran Oricom Ltd - a firm which effectively started from a shed but went on to secure major deals. The pair were able to win the contracts with the help of NHS workers Alan Hush, 68, and 60-year-old Gavin Cox, who accepted lucrative payments and gifts. All four men denied the accusations but in April were found guilty following a three-month trial at the High Court in Glasgow. Hush was jailed for eight years after being found guilty of nine charges. Cox was locked up for six years for the two charges jurors convicted him of. Sharoudi was also handed an eight year term having been convicted of seven charges and Brown was jailed for seven years for a total of six. The charges spanning between 2010 and 2015 included bribery, corruption, fraud, theft as well as others under the Proceeds of Crime Act. One stated Sharoudi and Brown did 'acquire, use and possess' a total of £5,719,244 of 'criminal property' paid by NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Judge Lord Arthurson said: 'Such is the corrosive effect of corruption upon commercial and public life, individuals such as yourselves should expect to be dealt with robustly by the courts. 'The public should expect their fellow citizens should not seek to subvert public officials in their duties. 'Such officials should note that, succumbing to bribery, will result in the handing down of significant terms. 'The reach and character of the corruption and, in particular, the corrupt relationship engaged by all of you was on a grand scale.' The court heard how Hush, of Edinburgh, received handouts including hotel stays, concert tickets, meals and a laptop for his help in getting business for Oricom, including a £750,000 contract with NHS Lothian. Cox, of Glasgow, handed Oricom information to give them a 'commercial advantage' to secure business. His 'rewards' were said to have included thousands of pounds of Barrhead Travel holiday vouchers which he spent on trips to New York and Lanzarote. The four accused all gave evidence in the case which sat for 65 days - testimony described by the judge yesterday as 'self serving, arrogant and mendacious'. The court heard how all four maintained their innocence. Hush's lawyer Keith Stewart said the jury had concluded there was a 'corrupt relationship' between Hush and Oricom carried out in 'plain sight' and based on 'budgets hotels and discounted rail fares'. Gordon Martin, defending Cox, said he was 'ashamed at the findings of guilt' as he had been 'a public servant for 31 years and rightfully proud of that service'. Sharoudi's defence KC Brian McConnachie told the hearing the NHS work carried out by Oricom was 'necessary' and it was not a 'situation of job creation' for money. He said Sharoudi had overcome a number of issues growing up to gain a first class honours degree in maths and philosophy before helping build Oricom. Tony Graham KC, defending Brown, said he was someone who had 'worked every day since he left school' providing 'employment for many others over many years'. Sharoudi and Brown have also been banned from being a company director for the next 10 years. Following the hearing, Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This was a betrayal of public trust. 'These four men colluded to create a sophisticated criminal scheme. The public will rightly be shocked by the scale of their criminality. 'The scale of this offending against our public health service is particularly egregious.' She said the men will now face separate hearings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, adding: 'This case demonstrates clearly that those who indulge in corrupt practices for their own personal gain will be brought to book regardless of the time it takes to bring offenders to justice. 'The Proceeds of Crime proceedings that will follow demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring that crime does not pay and that illicitly obtained funds are recovered where possible.'
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Telegraph
Four men jailed over £6m NHS fraud
Four men have been jailed for a total of 29 years after committing an 'outrageous' £6 million fraud against the Scottish NHS. Gavin Brown and Adam Sharoudi established an IT firm and used their connections with Gavin Cox and Alan Hush, senior health service employees, to obtain lucrative telecoms contracts, including one valued at more than £3 million. Their offences, which took place between 2010 and 2017, included bribery, corruption and other offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Hush and Sharoudi were additionally convicted of fraud. At the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, Brown, 48, and Sharoudi, 41, were jailed for seven and eight years respectively, while Hush, 68, and Cox, 60, were jailed for eight and six years. Lord Arthurson said while sentencing that each of the men was 'self-serving, arrogant and mendacious', adding they had 'subverted public trust in NHS management'. A 16-week trial heard that Oricom, the IT firm, did 'acquire, use and possess' a total of £5,719,244 worth of 'criminal property' that was paid for by NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as well as NHS Ayrshire and Arran. Luxurious handouts The firm was founded by Brown in a shed in Irvine, Ayrshire in 2008 and Sharoudi later joined as a director. Sharoudi became friends with Hush, who was telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland video conferencing manager. Cox was head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire. Their crimes were uncovered by chance after the theft of two NHS-issued mobile phones, which led to thousands of text messages and emails being discovered on multiple laptops, computers and mobiles. In 2015, Oricom's offices were raided by investigators from NHS Scotland Counter Fraud Services. An investigation found Hush and Cox gave Oricom 'commercially sensitive information' in return for £88,000 worth of cash, gifts and holidays. Hush was handed Eurostar train tickets, stays at the Troy and Re Hotels in London, a laptop, an iPad, meals and concert tickets to see Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright and Patti Smith for his part in helping Oricom secure the contracts. Cox's 'rewards' were said to include hospitality at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, a night at the Loch Green Hotel in Troon and a meal at Elliots in Prestwick, as well as holiday vouchers that funded his trips to New York and Lanzarote. He also denied ever getting a series of cash handouts from Oricom. In total, Hush was given £18,231 of cash handouts and gifts, while Cox was handed more than £70,000. 'Manipulated' the system Gordon Young, head of NHS Scotland counter-fraud services, described their actions as 'outrageous'. 'They were in a position of trust within the NHS and they have manipulated the procurement process for their own benefit,' he said. 'We hear every single day from politicians and from people that work in the service about how hard folk are working to try and keep things going. 'The vast majority of NHS workers are honest, hardworking people who have only got their patients' and their services' best interest at heart, but these individuals have taken advantage of the system for their own benefit. Union leaders, however, said the case highlighted the lack of resources for countering NHS fraud. Matt McLaughlin, Unison Scotland's head of health, said cuts to backroom services and the use of private companies in the NHS and the wider public sector 'present opportunities for people to behave in this way'. 'I think it's absolutely right for the public to be angry and concerned,' he said.
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Four men jailed over ‘egregious' NHS bribery and corruption offences
Four men convicted of bribery and corrupt practices over the awarding of NHS contracts worth £6 million have been jailed. Alan Hush, 68, Adam Sharoudi, 41, Gavin Brown, 48, and Gavin Cox, 60, were convicted following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow which followed an investigation at health boards across Scotland. The offences, which took place between 2010 and 2017, included bribery, corruption, and other offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Hush and Sharoudi were additionally convicted of charges of fraud. Sharoudi and Brown, directors of Ayrshire-based telecommunications firm Oricom Ltd, were jailed for eight years and seven years respectively when they were sentenced at the court on Thursday, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said. Hush, who was telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian, was sentenced to eight years in jail, while Cox, who was head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire, was jailed for six years. In a sentencing statement later published online, Lord Arthurson said: 'The public are entitled to expect that their fellow citizens will not seek to subvert public officials in the diligent exercise of their duties, and public officials in their turn should know that succumbing to bribery will result in the handing down by the court of immediate and significant custodial terms. 'The reach and character of the corruption and in particular the corrupt relationships engaged in by all of you, when considered as a whole, was on a grand scale.' The trial at the High Court in Glasgow lasted 65 days. Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at COPFS, said: 'This is an outstanding result for justice in Scotland. 'As prosecutors, we have shown an unwavering commitment to pursuing and investigating this matter. This was a betrayal of public trust. 'These four men colluded to create a sophisticated criminal scheme. The public will rightly be shocked by the scale of their criminality. 'The scale of this offending against our public health service is particularly egregious. 'The systematic abuse of position by public officials, who accepted inappropriate benefits including cash, holidays and entertainment in exchange for contract advantages, strikes at the heart of public trust. 'It serves as a reminder that procurement processes exist to ensure fair competition and value for public money. When these processes are corrupted, all of society bears the cost. 'The prosecutorial journey has been complex and demanding. It required forensic examination of thousands of documents, hundreds of witness statements, and detailed financial analyses to establish the full extent of this criminal activity. 'The digital evidence, particularly text messages and emails exchanged between the accused, proved pivotal in exposing the true nature of these arrangements. 'This was a meticulous investigation and one which reflects the enduring partnership working between specialist Crown Office prosecutors, NHS Counter Fraud Services and Police Scotland, who worked tirelessly over many years. 'Their unflinching dedication to serving the interests of justice, regardless of complexity or duration, deserves recognition.' The four men will now be subject to confiscation action under proceeds of crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained. Brown and Sharoudi were also banned from being company directors for 10 years. Gordon Young, head of NHSScotland Counter Fraud Services at NHS National Services Scotland, said: 'This is a landmark conviction for fraud, bribery and corruption of individuals who sought to exploit the NHS for personal gain. 'This successful prosecution reaffirms NHS Scotland's commitment to safeguarding vital funds for patient care as intended by the taxpayer. 'These sentences send a strong and unequivocal message that fraud, bribery and corruption within the NHS will not be tolerated, and we will act decisively against anyone who threatens its integrity.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Corrupt Edinburgh NHS manager jailed for eight years over £6m contracts
Four men have been jailed for a total of 29 years over the awarding of NHS contracts worth £6million. Alan Hush, 68, Adam Sharoudi, 41, Gavin Brown, 48, and Gavin Cox, 60, were convicted by a jury following an investigation at health boards across Scotland. Hush, telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland's video conferencing manager, was sentenced to eight years in jail. READ MORE: Edinburgh man's touching tribute for best pal after his unexpected death at 38 READ MORE: 'Maggots burst from tin of tuna I was about to feed my baby - I can never eat touch it again' Sharoudi and Brown, directors of Ayrshire-based telecommunications firm Oricom Ltd, were imprisoned for eight years and seven years respectively. Cox, who held the post of head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire, will spend six years in prison. Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This is an outstanding result for justice in Scotland. 'As prosecutors, we have shown an unwavering commitment to pursuing and investigating this matter. This was a betrayal of public trust. 'These four men colluded to create a sophisticated criminal scheme. The public will rightly be shocked by the scale of their criminality. The scale of this offending against our public health service is particularly egregious. 'The systematic abuse of position by public officials, who accepted inappropriate benefits including cash, holidays and entertainment in exchange for contract advantages, strikes at the heart of public trust. 'It serves as a reminder that procurement processes exist to ensure fair competition and value for public money. When these processes are corrupted, all of society bears the cost. 'The prosecutorial journey has been complex and demanding. It required forensic examination of thousands of documents, hundreds of witness statements, and detailed financial analyses to establish the full extent of this criminal activity. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 'The digital evidence, particularly text messages and emails exchanged between the accused, proved pivotal in exposing the true nature of these arrangements. 'This was a meticulous investigation and one which reflects the enduring partnership working between specialist Crown Office prosecutors, NHS Counter Fraud Services and Police Scotland who worked tirelessly over many years. 'Their unflinching dedication to serving the interests of justice, regardless of complexity or duration, deserves recognition. 'The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has worked closely with these specialist reporting agencies to ensure justice has been served. 'This case demonstrates clearly that those who indulge in corrupt practices for their own personal gain will be brought to book regardless of the time it takes to bring offenders to justice. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 'The Proceeds of Crime proceedings that will follow demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring that crime does not pay and that illicitly obtained funds are recovered where possible.' All four individuals will now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained. Brown and Sharoudi were also banned from being company directors for 10 years.
Edinburgh Live
5 days ago
- Edinburgh Live
Corrupt Edinburgh NHS manager jailed for eight years over £6m contracts
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Get the latest Edinburgh Live breaking news on WhatsApp Four men have been jailed for a total of 29 years over the awarding of NHS contracts worth £6million. Alan Hush, 68, Adam Sharoudi, 41, Gavin Brown, 48, and Gavin Cox, 60, were convicted by a jury following an investigation at health boards across Scotland. Hush, telecommunications manager at NHS Lothian and then NHS Scotland's video conferencing manager, was sentenced to eight years in jail. Sharoudi and Brown, directors of Ayrshire-based telecommunications firm Oricom Ltd, were imprisoned for eight years and seven years respectively. Cox, who held the post of head of IT and infrastructure at NHS Lanarkshire, will spend six years in prison. Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This is an outstanding result for justice in Scotland. 'As prosecutors, we have shown an unwavering commitment to pursuing and investigating this matter. This was a betrayal of public trust. 'These four men colluded to create a sophisticated criminal scheme. The public will rightly be shocked by the scale of their criminality. The scale of this offending against our public health service is particularly egregious. 'The systematic abuse of position by public officials, who accepted inappropriate benefits including cash, holidays and entertainment in exchange for contract advantages, strikes at the heart of public trust. 'It serves as a reminder that procurement processes exist to ensure fair competition and value for public money. When these processes are corrupted, all of society bears the cost. 'The prosecutorial journey has been complex and demanding. It required forensic examination of thousands of documents, hundreds of witness statements, and detailed financial analyses to establish the full extent of this criminal activity. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox 'The digital evidence, particularly text messages and emails exchanged between the accused, proved pivotal in exposing the true nature of these arrangements. 'This was a meticulous investigation and one which reflects the enduring partnership working between specialist Crown Office prosecutors, NHS Counter Fraud Services and Police Scotland who worked tirelessly over many years. 'Their unflinching dedication to serving the interests of justice, regardless of complexity or duration, deserves recognition. 'The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has worked closely with these specialist reporting agencies to ensure justice has been served. 'This case demonstrates clearly that those who indulge in corrupt practices for their own personal gain will be brought to book regardless of the time it takes to bring offenders to justice. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. 'The Proceeds of Crime proceedings that will follow demonstrate our ongoing commitment to ensuring that crime does not pay and that illicitly obtained funds are recovered where possible.' All four individuals will now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained. Brown and Sharoudi were also banned from being company directors for 10 years.
