Plymouth (cult) Intergroup – fraud allegations

Allegations have been made that an officer of Plymouth Intergroup (mostly controlled by the Road to Recovery cult group, which have featured extensively in our blog over the last few years) has been systematically embezzling funds over a five year period (2011 to 2015) amounting to approximately £14,000. The person in question apparently suffers from a gambling addiction, which may go some way to explain their conduct but doesn't excuse it. However astonishingly (or not when you consider we're talking about the Road to Recovery here!) the Intergroup decided during the course of an extraordinary meeting convened to discuss the issue (which was attended by only two GSRs – there are 27 groups in the Plymouth Intergroup area) NOT to inform the police of the fraud NOR the General Service Office in York NOR even other local groups. Instead they opted for a cover up. The money, it is claimed, has been replaced although it is not entirely clear how. South West Region (which includes Plymouth Intergroup) have only recently become aware of these murky goings on.

We informed the General Service Office on Thursday 11^th June by email (to which, so far, we have received no reply - see below) of the above and proposed that they immediately inform the police so that a full and proper investigation may be carried out. Embezzlement is a criminal offence. We have also pointed out that failure to notify the police may itself result in criminal charges being brought ie. an accessory after the fact:

 “Re: Alleged fraud Plymouth Intergroup Attn: GSO with cc to Trustees

aa cultwatch
Jun 11 at 7:09 AM

To gso@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

To whom it may concern,

We assume that you have already been informed of the above matter. If not:

We have received information (…............) that an alleged fraud has been committed by the Treasurer of Plymouth Intergroup (…..... - home group Road to Recovery Plymouth) amounting to some £14,000, the monies being embezzled over a five year period from 2011 to 2015. We have also been notified that when the Plymouth Intergroup became aware of the theft they decided not to inform the police nor other groups in the area (Plymouth Intergroup is apparently virtually run by the Road to Recovery group) nor yourselves. The money has been replaced (although by whom it is not clear) but the fraud remains. As you may be aware failure to inform the police may itself constitute grounds for arrest as an accessory. These matters were disclosed at South West Region meeting on Sunday night. We understand members in the area are currently deliberating the question. In our view GSO should itself take immediate action and notify the police so that a thorough investigation may be conducted. In order to ensure that no further attempts are made to sweep this under the carpet we will be putting the salient facts up on our blog this Saturday. Moreover we are quite prepared to notify the police ourselves of the allegation should the fellowship fail to act. In light of this we would request that you confirm whether you propose to take any action or not? And if so what?

The Fellas”

(edited to preserve anonymity)

Accessory after the fact:

 

Updates to follow

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)