Civil Servant Accused of Holding Multiple Full-Time Jobs While Claiming to Work Remotely

A civil servant is on trial for fraud, accused of working multiple full-time jobs simultaneously and earning approximately £280,000 by allegedly lying about his employment status. Kashim Chowdhury, 55, is alleged to have held down eight different jobs between February 2020 and September 2023, accumulating a total of £349,378. At one point, he was reportedly employed in five full-time positions, with a contracted work week totaling 183 hours.

Prosecutors presented evidence in Southwark Crown Court showing job application forms where Chowdhury listed his work at Tower Hamlets council but answered "no" to questions about existing civil service employment. When applying for roles, including one with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in August 2022, he allegedly failed to disclose other ongoing positions. Similar discrepancies were noted in a Home Office project manager application from November 2021.

Chowdhury reportedly told employers he needed to work remotely to care for his elderly mother and used sick notes to manage his demanding schedule. However, witnesses described his performance as poor, with him frequently missing virtual meetings and appearing unable to complete basic tasks. Abigail Mounde, his line manager at the DBT from December 2022 to May 2023, testified that Chowdhury's performance was "very poor" and that he "didn't ask any questions" or show the initiative expected of someone in a project management role.

He faces nine counts of fraud and denies all charges. The trial is ongoing.