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So here is exactly what was posted in the mods forum, although most of the mods have access here…
kwatt wrote:I know that one or two people already know about this, but I best explain a little bit without going into the nitty gritty of it all. By posting this and by explaining the current situation to some I have placed great trust in you as I do not want to be perceived as being vindictive or anything like that, but I do think that you have a right to know about this. Most of the people in here have been here since the start and, even if you haven’t, you speak to those that have.
I trust you will choose your own course wisely in these matters and impart information as you see appropriate.
The short of it is this and, this will come as a shock to many…
Kevin left in a blaze of glory, as is his style, with the post that he made, “To Whom It May Concern”. Sadly, that’s not the end of the story, in fact it’s actually about half ways through it.
Since it’s now more or less “after the fact”, the matter has gone legal.
When P&G kinda parted company with UKW, although that’s not exactly true but so far as training and funding goes we’ll consider that it is, we started to look at the finances. Turns out that one or two things were not quite right and didn’t sit well with me.
Kevin duly produced a projection or two which, to my mind didn’t make sense and seemed to be trying to place me back in a garage making two or more redundant in Killy. All admin and accountancy would be moved to Rotherham. This most certainly didn’t sit well with me, so I prodded and asked a lot of difficult questions.
The answers I got I didn’t like.
Eventually I got open book on the accounts, after a considerable amount of effort and fighting at the very start of December. In fact, I only got the figures, after over a month of asking for a backup of the accounts, the Friday of the Christmas bash.
What I got shocked me deeply.
After a long investigation it transpires that Kevin was using UKW funds, so far as we can see, as his own personal slush fund. Not only UKW but, to a much lesser extent, ISE as well.
Both businesses are financially sound but it has dented my ability to do some things. Like sleep soundly some nights.
The subs account was, so far as we can tell, not touched. Nor has it, or will it be without authorisation.
So now it’s gone legal. The matter is in the hands of solicitors and there it shall remain until resolved one way or another.
I tried to protect Kevin, I tried to save him any embarrassment by not saying anything and offering, what everyone has told me I was insane to offer, a deal that would have gotten him out of the jam he’s gotten himself into. He hasn’t taken up the offer so, like us all, he has to live with the consequences of his actions, no matter the outcome.
What comes next, I don’t know, it’s now out of my hands and has assumed a life of its own. But I can’t say that at this point in time that I feel too forgiving.
I know that there will most likely be some mud slung the other way and I’m fine with that. You take or believe what you like from all this but I’m more than happy to stand by what I’ve done, what I do and what I will do.
I’m more than happy to answer that which I can given the givens but be aware that I do not wish to cause any harm that is needless, regardless of the circumstance. So opening wounds for the sheer sake of it is not on my agenda.
I just felt that you guys should know this and, finally, what was really going on.
K.
That pretty much sums it up.
Kevin however, rather than take the offer that was made, has opted to go down the legal route which is of course his right. What I think of that choice is pretty much irrelevant.
However that choice does allow me the freedom to discuss what’s gone off to some extent as one of the conditions on offer, in Kevin’s favour, was that we would remain silent on the matter and not release any details. Since he’s chosen to not accept that option we can now talk about it.
The sum involved is knocking on for £40,000 removed either directly or indirectly.
With the legal and professional fees now being incurred that is set to rise quite significantly.
I have a signed document (by Kevin Heath) representing the official record outcome of an official disciplinary hearing admitting embezzlement and fraudulent use of company funds. So this isn’t just made up stuff, it’s very real.
He took funds from both UKW and ISE.
He was officially terminated as a director of ISE. Had he not resigned as a director of UKW he would have been terminated under the same charge of gross misconduct.
That’s it pretty much.
K.
Re: No nice way to put it…
Oh My God!
I assume he no longer has access to this sector of the forum, if he has by some reason, he needs to be barred as of NOW. No good banning him from the site, may creep in under an assumed name, or have some lap-dog who is currying favour by cutting & pasting. Maybe prudent not to say too much in print until all sorted. I’m sure the Directors of UKW will get together privately on this and decide your course of action.
I thought you had just had a difference of opinion, but listening to his rhetoric in the past, I am not surprised.
I do suspect though that he can be dangerous, and is now a loose cannon. I presume from the quote in the above posting that UKW are taking legal assistance and will fight fire with fire. Winning the case against him, and with costs should sort him out once and for all. The disciplinary minutes will go a long way. I hope prior to the meeting he was issued with 72 hours written notice, and was given the opportunity for representation.
Best of luck.
Alex
Re: No nice way to put it…
All was done properly and above board Alex, I had taken legal advice before the disciplinary even happened. 😉
Kevin’s access is now restricted to that of a normal trade member, as he is in the trade he still has the right to that access under my own rules. I will not break them. That said, he hasn’t been on UKW for some 50 days now I think from memory.
What he does from here is his own affair, we just want our money back and, as he chose this path, the costs and damages as well.
K.
Re: No nice way to put it…
Without it looking like I sticking the boot in, as I regarded Kevin as a friend; but has his authenticate UKW email adress been removed?
This is just a protocol suggestion and not personal.Greg
Re: No nice way to put it…
Well we got a response from Kevin’s solicitor and he’s basically running interferance and stalling. They have, on his behalf, admitted that Kevin owes UKW money but insisting that action is taken seperately against DAR Rotherham, to whom unauthorised payments were made without supporting paperwork and to Cheryl Homer, the bookkeeper, who has been overpaid a considerable amount of money. They have also made plain that ISE has to take seperate action.
In effect they are protracting the inevitable.
Both DAR & Cheryl Homer have recieved letters this morning requesting repayment of the monies forthwith. Non-compliance will lead to legal action without question on both counts.
In light of this and a call made by Kevin to Sean the other evening saying that he had reported all those that helped us last year with data for P&G to the Data Protection Agency, making threats against me, accusing me of fraud and telling Sean that now there was “no holds barred” we have decided that enough is enough. The police have been called and I have had a brief interview with them this morning here in Kilmarnock.
This will, most likely, now be investigated as a criminal offence whilst the civil case, under police advisement, will continue
I will not tolerate a threat made against any of the independents, UK Whitegoods or ISE whether that comes from within or externally and will do my utmost to protect all of those. I will also not tolerate any slanderous or liablous remarks made against any by Mr Heath and, should I hear of such being made, action will be taken to ensure that reparations are made and that it ceases.
I’m sorry if this seems at all harsh, but to me, Dave, Sean and John it’s a point of principal. None of them should be allowed to get away with it.
It’s sad that it comes to this, but we didn’t make the situation, we just have to deal with it.
K.
Re: No nice way to put it…
Ho hum. 😕
What I expected, two letters back denying all knowledge and one from DAR trying to insinuate that we’re not competent.
Fun, fun, fun.
Now we go legal on both of them.
K.
Re: No nice way to put it…
Well DAR and C Homer have their heads in the sand.
The Baldy Thief is being a total prat as expected.
We are now moving onto the next phase, which is suing the lot of them in a court of law.
They were all given every opportunity to make amends and have utterly failed to do so, not even explained or attempted to explain the actions let alone offer any reparations.
It’s all good fun.
K.
Re: No nice way to put it…
And on it trundles…
Next up is the really nasty law firm. If he thinks for a minute that he will be shown any quarter now then he is sadly mistaken.
His solicitor has said that he would “pay back the money when he can”. Yeah, right.
I think the time has come to focus his mind somewhat.
Anyway, more interestingly, I heard a rumour today that troubles me a little. Apparently he and an NESN guy, or perhaps ex-NESN guy, are for starting some sort of whitegoods repair thing up, possibly a network. Very sketchy details for now unless anyone’s heard anything?
But I have to wonder, who the hell’s gonna work with or for him?
K.
Re: No nice way to put it…
Yeah, he tried to hide though, albeit not very well.
We’ll see, it’s an interesting diversion.
K.
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