Chelsea employee admits defrauding club out of more than £200,000 over four-year spell
A Chelsea employee has admitted defrauding the club of more than £200,000.
Claire Walsh, 39, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of power between June 8, 2019 and October 23, 2023.
Walsh, who worked as assistant treasury manager at the Premier League club, admitted dishonestly abusing his position to obtain £208,521.65 for himself.
Asked what plea he would enter at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Walsh, of Elm Park Gardens in Chelsea, said “guilty”.
Judge Kieran O’Donnell told Walsh: “You have been charged with fraud against Chelsea Football Club in excess of £200,000.
“You have pleaded guilty and this is beyond our powers in terms of sentencing.
“For sentencing you will need to be sent to a royal court with appropriate powers.”
A court clerk told Walsh that “while occupying a position such as assistant treasurer in which you were expected to protect the financial interests of Chelsea Football Club or not to act against them, you were charged with fraud because you dishonestly misused that position with the intention of obtaining a gain, namely obtaining for yourself the sum of £208,521.65.”
Walsh, who was released on unconditional bail, will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court at a later date.
