Etam has launched a series of court actions to recover a further tranche of its £2m losses from the fraudulent activities of disgraced former property director Robert Sutcliffe.
The fashion retailer has issued a writ against surveyor Hearn & Partners, of Sackville St, London W1, alleging that the firm submitted invoices for work not done, and made inaccurate valuations of properties. Etam demands repayment of over £42,000 plus damages for negligence and breach of contract.
Etam also made an application for summary judgment two weeks ago against Martin Wilkinson, former head of retail property at Conrad Ritblat. Forensic property investigator Charles Price unearthed the Sutcliffe fraud and has led the investigation for Etam. He told PLS: “This is all connected to the Sutcliffe case.”
The writ against Hearn refers to dealings between Sutcliffe, surveyor Derek Ollerton and Hearn and Partners’ director Kevin Howard.
In April 1997 Sutcliffe was found by the High Court to have defrauded Etam of over £2m in deals with outside property agents. He selected agents to deal with rent reviews, acquisitions and lease renewals and agreed a fee to be divided between the agents and his own company, Taylors Retail Consultants. Judgment was also secured against Ollerton. Howard has already settled a claim against him in person and agreed to pay Etam a substantial six-figure sum.
Etam has now taken court action against a number of Sutcliffe associates, including its former property manager Leslie Fretten, Sutcliffe’s wife Caroline, former Burton property executive Derek Scott, cricketer Roland Butcher, Micheal Thompson and Robert Heeley Pratt. A writ was issued earlier this year against former Baker Almond director Bernard Almond.
Asked if there are any more proceedings to follow, Charles Price replied: “Yes, I believe that to be the case.”
EGi News 30/07/98
