British supermodel Naomi Campbell has been barred from being a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years. The decision followed a three-year investigation by the Charity Commission into the "poorly governed" charity, Fashion for Relief, which she founded nearly two decades ago. The commission found "multiple instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement," including misuse of charity funds; it reports only 8.5% of expenditures went towards grants over six years from 2016.
The investigation revealed that charity funds were used for Campbell's luxury hotel stay in Cannes, along with spa treatments, room service, and cigarettes. Trustees claimed these costs were covered by a donor rather than the charity's funds but failed to provide evidence. Fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich received unauthorized funds totaling approximately 290,000 pounds ($385,000) and has been disqualified for nine years. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, was barred for four years.
Tim Hopkins, deputy director for specialist investigations, said, "Trustees are legally required to make decisions that are in their charity's best interests." Founded in 2005 post-Hurricane Katrina, the charity has since dissolved. The commission has retrieved around 344,000 pounds and protected an additional 98,000 pounds. These recovered funds are now directed towards other charitable entities and to settle lingering liabilities. A rep for Campbell had no comment. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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