A former chief executive of HIV Scotland has admitted embezzling £5,000 from the charity during his time in the role.
Nathan Sparling, 35, spent the money on taxi journeys and Amazon deliveries including groceries, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard.
He admitted embezzling £5,000 between April 2019 and March 2021 in Edinburgh and elsewhere while employed as chief executive of the charity, which has since closed, when he appeared at the court on Friday.
The court heard that during his time in the role, Sparling was allowed to make purchases up to the value of £50 using HIV Scotland funds if it was for charity reasons – but anything above that value required authorisation from another member of staff.
A member of staff noticed a large number of taxi journeys and raised the issue with Sparling, leading to an investigation.
Sparling, a former adviser to an SNP MP, was suspended from his role at HIV Scotland and then replaced.
Fiscal depute Kirsty McKenzie told the court: “During the period, a total of £5,000 was embezzled from the charity.
“£2,000 was spent on Ubers and £3,000 on Amazon packages that were delivered to his home, including groceries and technical goods.
“He was never given permission for any of these transactions.”
Sheriff John Cook asked whether Sparling has repaid any of the money and was told by Ms McKenzie that he has not.
Defence lawyer M Hill said Sparling felt a “certain amount of complacency” as he had been working at the charity for a long time.
She said: “He accepts full responsibility.”
The lawyer said Sparling had not been able to repay any of the money to HIV Scotland as it has since been wound up, but would be willing to pay money to a similar charity.
Sheriff Cook deferred sentence until May 20 pending reports.
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