A long-serving Chelsea FC employee has confessed to stealing more than £200,000 from the Premier League club in a significant fraud case that spanned over four years.
Guilty Plea at Westminster Court
Claire Walsh, who worked as Chelsea's assistant treasury manager, formally admitted her guilt at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday. The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to a single charge of fraud by abuse of position between June 8, 2019 and October 23, 2023.
Walsh, who lived less than half a mile from Stamford Bridge at Elm Park Gardens, acknowledged dishonestly obtaining £208,521.65 from the football club by exploiting her trusted position.
Case Sent to Crown Court for Sentencing
Magistrate Kieran O'Donnell informed Walsh that due to the substantial amount involved, the case exceeded the court's sentencing powers and must be transferred to a crown court. Walsh has been released on unconditional bail while awaiting sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court.
The prosecution confirmed the case falls into the "A" sentencing bracket, which carries a starting point of five years imprisonment, with a potential range of three to six years behind bars.
Two Decades of Service Ends in Conviction
According to reports, Walsh had been employed by Chelsea for more than 20 years, with her LinkedIn profile indicating she became the club's full-time treasury assistant in July 2020. The club reportedly discovered the alleged offences in spring 2022 and subsequently reported the matter to police.
The court clerk formally outlined the charge, stating Walsh had abused her position as assistant treasury manager, a role in which she was expected to safeguard Chelsea's financial interests.
