Charity silence on funds probe
AN under-fire Swansea-based charity is remaining silent over allegations of misuse of public finds and nepotism.
The All Wales Ethnic Minorities Association (Awema) is under investigation by the Welsh Assembly Government, following an independent report which raised concerns over the way it is run.
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Naz Malik
Allegations made against its chief executive include that he paid off a personal credit card debt of more than £9,000 with Awema money.
It has been reported that Mr Naz Malik says he considered the payment "an advance on future expenses". It is also alleged he failed to declare an interest when pay rises for his daughter Tegwen, the board's operations manager, was reported to the board.
The registered charity, based on the Kingsway, works with local authorities across Wales, and is currently managing three European-funded projects, with young people, unemployed, and improving the skills of those already in work.
Since the allegations against Mr Malik arose, seven trustees have resigned from their posts, and its whistleblowing finance director, Saquib Zia, who revealed the alleged irregularities, has been suspended from his job.
Dr Sibani Roy resigned from her post as vice chair of Awema in protest at the internal culture of the organisation.
She said: "I believe that if Mr Malik had any dignity he would stand down, he is no longer credible.
"It is very upsetting. The charity employs some people who work hard but it is so damaging".
The charity's chair Dr Rita Austin declined to comment on the investigation until it had been completed.
She said: "I am not prepared to comment on any staff matters of internal discipline.
"The Welsh Assembly Government internal audit team are looking into matters, and have spent a few days in the Swansea office this week.
"I understand their work is nearing completion."
A Welsh Government Spokesperson said: "Having assessed the information that it has received in respect of AWEMA, the Welsh Government including the Welsh European Funding Office, co-ordinating with the Big Lottery Fund, has resolved to instigate an investigation to ensure that the public funding which has been provided has been properly spent and can be accounted for. Welsh Government officials have been liaising with South Wales Police regarding the allegations. It would be inappropriate therefore to make any further comment at this time."
A Charity Commission spokesman said: "I can confirm that the Charity Commission has received a serious incident report from the trustees of the charity the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (registered charity number 1108497). We are currently assessing the information provided in that report to determine what, if any, regulatory role there might be for the Commission. Please note that this does not mean we are investigating the charity."
A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "We are aware of the situation and are in contact with a number of organisations including the Welsh Assembly Government in relation to the matter.''
nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk
31 Comments
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by welshwyn
Thursday, February 09 2012, 10:08AM
“the Dunn report seems to be very suspect. from what i see on the AWEMA webiste and heard on dragons eye it was not exactly commissioned properlly. how did these ex trustees behave so appalingly. the dunn report does not seem to have looked at anything other than parrot back”
by mick1book
Thursday, February 09 2012, 9:08AM
“t seems that today's Welsh Government report will not be addressing the human rights issues of the situation at AWEMA, frankly this is a disgrace. The misuse of Public money is of course important and those involved must be brought to account for this. However, its just money, the alleged systematic bullying of staff over what seems to be a number of years something that needs to addressed sooner rather than later. The fact that the assembly will soon be going on its mid term break is alarming to say the least. For the Assembly to be going into recess leaving this issue unresolved is to say the least unsatisfactory I have stronger words to describe this but I would probably get arrested if I wrote them.
If trustees had of done what Rita Austin said and disciplined Naz Malik on 16 October board as she stated on the Dragon's Eye programme the inevitable outcome would have been a "whitewash" leaving him free to carry on his alleged corrupt and bullying activities without challenge. There would have been no report carried out by Paul Dunn, the evidence that has come to light would been totally suppressed. This exactly why Rita Austin thinks it should have been done that way.
The Dunn report points to the fact that fact that the allegations that Naz Malik declined to address do in fact have a great deal of substance to them, this being further reinforced by interviews with former and current staff members on the Dragons Eye programme. It is wholly disgraceful that a person who is pledged to support these young people from the Future Jobs Fund should treat them in such a manner.
So CEO Naz Maliks much vaunted defence consisted mainly of statements made by his own family members, well they would of course and his flat refusal to address the human rights allegations laid against him. Not surprisingly, the board members saw through this manoeuvre for what it was a tactic of distraction designed to create confusion, in short it was total obfuscation.
Rita Austin keeps trying to deflect attention from Naz Maliks own admissions of financial irregularity by stating that it was bought before the board at a later date. The fact remains that the Naz Malik after being told by the Financial Director that he should not use AWEMA money to pay off his credit card without first going to board, Naz Malik waited until the financial director was on leave and then made out a pre-signed without anyones knowledge to pay off his credit card. Hardly honest intent is it.”
by john225
Thursday, February 09 2012, 12:33AM
“It's about time we had some balance in all of this. Obviously a disgruntled former employee is throwing mud about and hoping some of it will stick. As for the ex trustees of the charity, well, they've clearly been absolutely appalling - in fact I saw Sibani Roy (the old Vice Chair of the charity) on the TV and she was totally incoherent...Dr Rita Austin on the other hand (the current Chair) was superb on Dragons Eye. A very able and brilliant woman fighting for what is right.”
by john225
Thursday, February 09 2012, 12:29AM
“Looks like a nasty litytle campaign to me to shut down the only BME charity in Wales. Lets hope they aren't succesful! Wales needs people like Dr Rita Austin and Naz Malik. It's typical that attacks are being made even BEFORE the report by the Assembly is out. Truly pathetic.”
by FairnessChamp
Wednesday, February 08 2012, 9:54PM
“Mick i just dont understand...no logic there just rant! Dr Austin's message on the AWEMA website is very detailed and for the first time i feel i have understood the ongoing saga. Obvious that ex trustee conduct should be reported to the charity commission. The question i would like answered is where did AWEMA get an ex vice chair like Sibani Roy from..very worrying!”
by swanseajock
Monday, February 06 2012, 7:31PM
“I heard on the news that they are now playing the race card. It seem to me that it is not only "patriotism which is the last refuge of the scoundrel."”
by mick1book
Monday, February 06 2012, 7:20PM
“GET the true inside story at AWEMA http://tinyurl.com/74gtljc
It would appear that Naz Malik, Rita Austin and others within AWEMA follow the principle of "Plausible Deny-ability" I have to tell them YOU ARE NO LONGER PLAUSIBLE.”
by BMEWales
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:56AM
“AWEMA breaks the silence and speaks out now!!! For full story please see http://tinyurl.com/8xn5cgc”
by trunkles3
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 9:00PM
“handyman - 14 listed on the website.
http://tinyurl.com/8yo3w9v”
by handyman
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 5:42PM
“TRUNKLES
are ther 14staff?”