Chapter 9
Corporate credit cards for cops—Part II
A crime which is the crime of many none avenge
Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (Lucan) (39–65 AD)
INTRODUCTION
In case you are wondering, you haven’t missed Part I. It’s just that I outlined this case in my last book. I’ve returned to it because there have been further developments since I wrote that book and there is now more of value to help those conducting investigations to tell about how we went about our work and how the Commissioner and the Police Authority responded to the case.
Before you read on I must say a few words in defence of the police and of the many honourable and selfless police officers, both detective and uniform, who were horrified and mortified by the actions of those who came to our attention during this case. Most of the senior echelons, from the Commissioner downwards, were outraged by the actions of those detectives that we suspected had committed fraud in the use of their corporate credit card.
CASE BACKGROUND
At its height, this was a massive case in every sense of the word. I found myself cross-questioned at a public meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority with cameras whirring and our investigation became the first item played on BBC London News that day. I had just told the Authority’s Corporate Governance Committee that over 300 detectives, mainly involved in counter-terrorism and specialist crime investigations, were suspected of fraudulent activity with their corporate credit cards and that we suspected ...
