A Chelsea Football Club employee has admitted abusing her position to defraud the Premier League side out of more than £200,000.
Claire Walsh, 39, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday to fraud by abuse of position committed between June 8, 2019, and October 23, 2023. Walsh, who worked as an assistant treasury manager, admitted dishonestly obtaining £208,521.65 for herself. When asked for her plea, she responded simply: “guilty.”
Magistrate Kieran O’Donnell told her that because the fraud exceeded £200,000, the case was beyond the sentencing powers of the magistrates’ court. Walsh will therefore be sent to Isleworth Crown Court for sentencing.
A court clerk outlined that Walsh, while occupying a position in which she was expected to protect Chelsea’s financial interests, had “dishonestly abused that position” to make personal financial gains.
Walsh was released on unconditional bail. Prosecutors said the sum involved placed the case in the “A” bracket, carrying a starting sentence of five years in prison, with a range between three and six years.
According to The Telegraph, Walsh worked at the club for over 20 years, and her LinkedIn profile indicates she became a full-time treasury assistant in July 2020. Chelsea reportedly discovered the irregularities in spring 2022 and alerted police.
