Three managers jailed for £822,000 NHS fraud using U2 names

Three NHS managers were sentenced today for defrauding Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) of £822,236.22.

Mark Evill was sentenced to 7 years’ imprisonment, Robert Howells to 4 years, and Michael Cope to 3 years.

Mark Evill (47, of Shirenewton, Chepstow) organised the fraud. He was assisted by Robert Howells (65, of Sudbury, Chepstow) and Michael Cope (43, of Garden City, Merthyr Tydfil).  Evill and Howells were both employed through Resourcing Group Agency as project managers for the health board’s Estates department, while Cope was employed directly by the board as a Senior Estate Manager.

The investigation revealed that Evill and Howells knew each other prior to joining the agency and PTHB. An anonymous allegation was received via the NHS Fraud & Corruption Reporting Line, which stated that Evill and Howells had misappropriated NHS money by receiving “pay-offs” from external contractors.

Evill’s responsibilities included sourcing external contractors, approving tenders and quotes, authorising payments of invoices and verifying work completed. A water supplies and electrical supply project was allocated £342,000 by PTHB, and Evill directed that a specific contractor named George Morgan Ltd be used.

An investigation conducted by NHS CFS Wales confirmed that George Morgan Ltd was actually set up and run by Evill, with the intention of paying himself for the work he was supposed to be contracting out on behalf of PTHB.

Under the guise of George Morgan Ltd, Evill invoiced the health board using false names “Paul Hewson” and “David Evans”, making over £822,000. Paul Hewson and David Evans are better known as Bono and The Edge from the rock band U2.

The investigation established that Evill spent approximately £300,000 of the defrauded monies on a number of properties in and around Aberdare, South Wales and went on luxury holidays which included flying business class to Dubai. He also bought expensive watches and motor vehicles.

Howells knew from the outset of Evill’s connection to George Morgan Ltd, with Cope finding out some time later. Both became complicit in the fraud by accepting bribes from Evill, who gave them envelopes containing cash or cheques which he posted to their home addresses. The work that was actually carried out was done to a very poor standard, so the health board subsequently had to pay to correct it.

The three appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in April this year, where they all pleaded not guilty. On 11 October 2018, Evill and Howells changed their pleas to guilty, whilst Cope maintained his not guilty plea. Cope was found guilty by the Jury on 25 October 2018.

The Judge commended lead investigator Cheryl Hill, Deputy Manager of NHS CFS Wales, noting that her investigation and case preparation had greatly assisted the judicial process.

Efforts will now be made to recover the money.