Care Home Director on Trial for BD192,000 Embezzlement

The First High Criminal Court has begun the trial of a director of a care home under the Ministry of Social Development, accused of embezzling more than BD192,000 and laundering the money with the help of a deputy chairman of a retirees’ association.

During yesterday’s session, the defendant denied all charges. The court adjourned the case to next Sunday (September 7, 2025) to review the defense lawyer’s response.

The case began after the Public Prosecution received a report from a government ministry. An internal investigation found suspicions of criminal activity, including collecting funds without a license, unlawfully taking government-owned money, and colluding with another suspect to forge and use falsified documents.

The Financial Crimes and Money Laundering Prosecution launched an investigation, questioned witnesses, and reviewed the defendants’ financial records. Evidence reportedly confirmed their involvement. During questioning, the first defendant admitted to collecting donations without a license, while the second admitted to assisting in forgery.

Investigations revealed that between 2019 and 2024, the director misused his authority by signing cheques from the care home’s accounts, listing himself or employees as beneficiaries. The money was then withdrawn and pocketed. He also allegedly took in-kind donations, including Ramadan food baskets and support coupons, directing staff to deliver them to his home for personal use.

The prosecution charged him with embezzlement and money laundering after discovering financial transactions aimed at concealing the illegal source of the funds. These included amounts of BD79,755.500, BD72,075.500, BD25,020, and BD20,070.