Former Lloyds security chief admits to fraud
A FORMER Lloyds Banking Group anti-fraud chief yesterday admitted cheating the bank of £2.5m in what prosecutors called a “huge breach of trust” against her employer.
Jessica Harper, who served as the state-backed firm’s interim head of fraud and security for digital banking, faces a lengthy jail sentence after pleading guilty to fraud and money laundering at Southwark Crown Court in south London.
Harper, 50, submitted false invoices to claim a total of £2,463,750 between late 2007 and December last year, the court heard.
The court was told Harper had spent some of the money on property in France, but had given back £300,000 and would be able to repay a further £700,000 from the imminent sale of her home.
She was released on bail and will be sentenced at a later date.
“Jessica Harper has today been convicted of the type of crime the bank employed her to combat … she has admitted to a huge breach of trust against her former employer,” the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Lloyds said it could not comment while the court process continued.