Soliciting Funds

Caroline Joseph, whose firm Hanover Property Lawyers was shut down in August of 2015 on the grounds of suspecting dishonesty from the management, was sentenced to a 21-month suspended sentence, for failing to pass on VAT that she had charged to clients.

According to a statement from HM Revenue & Customs, Joseph had deregistered the property firm for VAT in 2008, but that she continued to add VAT to clients’ bills until March of 2013.

As such she was charged with ‘being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of VAT under the Value Added Tax Act of 1994.’ The court ordered confiscation procedures to take place in order to recover the proceeds of the fraud.

Joseph was also ordered to carry out 10 days (240 hours) of unpaid work and to pay £1,500 in court costs and reparations.

Anthony Swarbrick, of the fraud investigation division at HMRC, said: “As a solicitor, Joseph knew the rules and her legal responsibilities, but chose to flout them thinking that she could continue operating her business under our radar and that the law did not apply to her. She will now have time to reflect on her actions.

“Her reputation and professional standing are now in tatters.”