Civil Servant Claims Surprise at Fraud Charges Over Multiple Government Jobs
Kashim Chowdhury denies dishonesty, stating he worked remotely and informally agreed to flexible hours while caring for his mother.
A civil servant accused of fraudulently earning over £284,000 by juggling eight public sector jobs says he was surprised to be charged with fraud. Kashim Chowdhury told Southwark Crown Court that he had not been dishonest in failing to disclose his multiple positions, describing himself as being on "auto pilot" and "like a robot" at the time.
Chowdhury, 55, faces nine counts of fraud, all of which he denies. The prosecution alleges that between 2020 and 2023, he held multiple full-time government positions simultaneously, contrary to his contractual obligations.
In March 2023, Chowdhury began a role at the Home Office while still under contract with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the Department for Business and Trade, and the Food Standards Agency. He reportedly started the Home Office position while on sick leave from three other jobs.
When questioned by prosecuting barrister Lucy Organ about how he could start new work while on sick leave, Chowdhury stated he did not want the Home Office job and had been assured of flexible working hours and adequate support. He rejected the suggestion that he was using sick notes to cope, asserting, "I wanted to carry on working."
By May 2023, Chowdhury was reportedly contracted for 183 hours per week. He told the jury that his work was project- or output-based and that he had an informal agreement with employers for flexible hours, communicated via text messages. These phones, however, went missing when investigators searched his house.
To manage the workload, Chowdhury claimed he would work from 7:00 AM to 8:00 or 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. He also stated he was housebound while caring for his mother.
The prosecution contends that Chowdhury exploited his remote working situation and his claim of being the sole carer for his elderly mother to conceal his overlapping employment. His former line manager at UKHSA, Aleesha Adams, testified that she organized a video call in May 2023 to discuss his sick leave. Adams recalled being surprised when Chowdhury logged on wearing white makeup, as his name suggested he would have darker skin. She observed the makeup smudging during the call, revealing darker skin underneath and on his neck.
Chowdhury denied wearing makeup to the meeting, calling it a "smear" and stating he had never worn makeup. He attributed his condition at the time to anxiety and depression, for which he had submitted a sick note. The trial is ongoing.