Senior Civil Servant Kashim Chowdhury Charged with Fraud Over Undisclosed Multiple Roles

A senior civil servant, Kashim Chowdhury, has been charged with fraud by false representation after allegedly holding five concurrent jobs without disclosing his employment status to all respective organisations. Mr Chowdhury, 45, who served across various government departments, is accused of securing a combined salary of approximately £100,000 through these undisclosed roles.

Prosecutors allege Mr Chowdhury intentionally withheld information from his employers, which included the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the Department for Education, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and the Cabinet Office. He also reportedly held a position at Waltham Forest Council simultaneously.

During a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Mr Chowdhury stated he was "surprised" by the charges and maintained that he was not dishonest. He claims to have been transparent with his employers regarding his multiple work commitments. The court heard that an investigation began after an anonymous tip-off regarding his employment arrangements.

Mr Chowdhury has been granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court for a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks. The case raises questions about oversight mechanisms within government departments concerning employee declarations of outside work.