The government servant accused of falsely earning over £284,000 by juggling various public-sector jobs admits to making mistakes but stated, “I do not believe there was criminal intent.” Kashim Chowdhury testified at Southwark Crown Court, saying he committed mistakes because he was “overwhelmed and stressed” and felt “terror and panic” at the prospect of losing his job.
He informed the jury that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2015, which was triggered in 2021. The 55-year-old from east London is on trial for nine charges of fraud. He denies acting dishonestly or intending to make a dishonest gain.
The prosecution claims Chowdhury did not inform his employers that he had other full-time occupations; nevertheless, Chowdhury informed the jury that some of his bosses were aware of his other jobs.
He told the court that personnel and supervisors at the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), the London Boro of Tower Hamlets, the East London NHS Trust, and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) were all aware that he had other occupations. At the height of the alleged deception, Chowdhury worked five full-time public-sector jobs with full-time pay.
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