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Millions spent Northampton Town missing £10m probe Millions spent Northampton Town missing £10m probe
(1 day later)
More than £3m has been spent on a "corruption" inquiry into a missing loan to a football club.More than £3m has been spent on a "corruption" inquiry into a missing loan to a football club.
Northampton Borough Council loaned £10.25m to Northampton Town in 2013 and 2014 to redevelop Sixfields stadium, but the funds seemingly vanished.Northampton Borough Council loaned £10.25m to Northampton Town in 2013 and 2014 to redevelop Sixfields stadium, but the funds seemingly vanished.
The council has paid out £2.3m to find the money and Northamptonshire Police has spent £974,000 investigating allegations including theft and fraud.The council has paid out £2.3m to find the money and Northamptonshire Police has spent £974,000 investigating allegations including theft and fraud.
The force said the case was of "high public interest".The force said the case was of "high public interest".
Detectives working on Operation Tuckhill have previously described it as a "corruption" inquiry which also involves allegations of bribery and money laundering. Detectives working on Operation Tuckhill have previously described it as a "corruption" inquiry which also involves allegations of bribery and money laundering.
The £10.25m loan was intended to rebuild part of Northampton Town's stadium and develop nearby land.The £10.25m loan was intended to rebuild part of Northampton Town's stadium and develop nearby land.
'In line''In line'
But the work was not completed after the company into which more than £7m of the money was channelled, 1st Land Ltd, went bust.But the work was not completed after the company into which more than £7m of the money was channelled, 1st Land Ltd, went bust.
Det Ch Supt Mark Behan said the case was of "high public interest" and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner would apply for extra funding from the Home Office.Det Ch Supt Mark Behan said the case was of "high public interest" and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner would apply for extra funding from the Home Office.
It would be "inappropriate not to complete investigation on the basis of cost," he added. It would be "inappropriate not to complete the investigation on the basis of cost," he added.
"While the costs are substantial, they are in line with our expectations.""While the costs are substantial, they are in line with our expectations."
Northampton Borough Council has paid law firms, auditors and a company providing document storage to trace the missing money but the figure does not reflect the costs of its officers' time.Northampton Borough Council has paid law firms, auditors and a company providing document storage to trace the missing money but the figure does not reflect the costs of its officers' time.
The largest single cost incurred by the council was to law firm Osborne Clarke and hiring a QC in relation to its successful Birmingham High Court action against the former owners of Northampton Town, David and Anthony Cardoza in 2019. The largest single cost incurred by the council was a payment to law firm Osborne Clarke and hiring a QC in relation to its successful Birmingham High Court action against the former owners of Northampton Town, David and Anthony Cardoza in 2019.
Anthony Cardoza declared himself bankrupt after he was ordered to repay £2.1m from the amount loaned to the club.Anthony Cardoza declared himself bankrupt after he was ordered to repay £2.1m from the amount loaned to the club.
Northampton Borough Council costs breakdownNorthampton Borough Council costs breakdown
Source: Freedom of Information requestSource: Freedom of Information request
The Crown Prosecution Service is currently reviewing files relating to 30 suspects including the former council leader and ex-Conservative MP for Northampton South, David Mackintosh, along with the owner of 1st land Ltd, Howard Grossman.The Crown Prosecution Service is currently reviewing files relating to 30 suspects including the former council leader and ex-Conservative MP for Northampton South, David Mackintosh, along with the owner of 1st land Ltd, Howard Grossman.
Both Mr Grossman and Mr Mackintosh deny any wrongdoing.Both Mr Grossman and Mr Mackintosh deny any wrongdoing.
A spokesman for Northampton Borough Council said: "While a police investigation continues, we are not in a position to comment on the detail of this, beyond the information which has been provided." Councillor Jonathan Nunn, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: "Legal action is expensive, and we know we have to be extremely careful when considering the additional costs involved in recovering this money, alongside considering the strength of public feeling towards the recovery of the loan.
"This is a long process, and we may never recover the full amount, but we are committed to doing all we can to give Northampton's tax payers a fair outcome."
Northamptonshire Police said its inquiry was now in the final stages.Northamptonshire Police said its inquiry was now in the final stages.