The manager of a medical business who stole £155k from her employer while having an affair with one of the doctors was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
55-year-old Jacqueline Rodger had an affair with Dr. Iain Hathorn while she was employed at the Greenhills Medical Practice in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire.
Since 2011, they had been enjoying regular trysts, but the affair ended when Rodger got married.
The relationship was exposed after an examination into cash flow issues at the practice was initiated.
The investigation led to Hathorn’s confession that he had a “decent sexual affair” with Rodger.
The police denied claims that she was coerced into the relationship.
After the affair became public, Rodger texted Hathorn, ‘Iain, it’s Jacqueline,’ claiming that he had stolen the money due to stress. I was the one who did it. I am truly sorry and ashamed. You are all such nice individuals.
A note sent to another physician at the clinic read, “I am so guilty and ashamed of what I have done.” You’ve been so kind to me that I deserve anything that comes my way.
The investigation revealed that Rodger, who had worked at the center since 2008, had transferred funds to her own account under the guise of dozens of fictitious payments to locum doctors and office supply companies.
Rodger, of East Kilbride, appeared before the Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitting to stealing £150,012.71 between April 2014 and February 2018.
Sheriff Martin Jones KC stated that there was no substitute for prison.
Rodger was initially charged with stealing £224,375.39, but prosecutors accepted her guilty plea for a reduced amount.
The court was informed that the medical center was forced to close due to the theft of funds.
The former partners of Greenhills Medical Practice stated following the hearing, “We are ecstatic with the sentence and feel that justice has been served.”
“She was a valued coworker whom we considered a friend, and we feel completely misled.”
If she hadn’t stolen the money, we would have hired another partner because we were so busy.
She has not expressed regret or made any effort to repay the money.
Earlier, Deputy Fiscal Jennifer Cunningham informed the court that Hathorn was removed from the fraud probe after he admitted to having an affair with the primary suspect.
She stated, “Dr. Hathorn explained that the affair began in 2011 and that he and the accuser participated in a “legitimate sexual affair” that terminated when she got married.”
“As a result of this inquiry and the acts of the defendants, the Greenhills partners chose to terminate their contract with the NHS, and as of October 31, 2018, Greenhills Medical Practice ceased to exist,” the prosecutor stated.
Additionally, Rodger has initiated civil procedures against the medical practice for wrongful termination and sexual harassment.
Kevin Corr, the defendant’s attorney, stated, “Miss Rodger is aware of the gravity of this offense.”
She is scared of being taken into custody.
Sheriff Jones stated, “You have pled guilty to a very severe crime and embezzled £155,000 from the medical center where you worked as a trusted manager responsible for these monies.”
I do not believe a community-based disposition would represent the gravity of this offense given your high degree of responsibility and the severity of the injury you inflicted.
Due to her guilty plea, the sheriff reduced the sentence from 21 months to 12 months.
The NHS Lanarkshire refused comment.