Naomi Campbell is set to challenge the five-year ban from serving any charity in the capacity of a trustee arguing that the email used to impersonate her in a key communication was fraudulent. The 54-year-old supermodel was recently disqualified following the proof of financial mismanagement at the Fashion for Relief, an organization she founded.
Campbell, however, claims she was unaware of the allegations until the investigation concluded and is now set to appeal the decision in a tribunal hearing on Friday.
Mismanagement and fraudulent email allegations
The Fashion for Relief’s finances were allegedly mismanaged by Campbell and left unresolved throughout their investigation. The Commission Expenditure Inquiry from 2016-2022 revealed that only 8.5% of the charity funds were used for grants. In 2021, Campbell’s five-star hotel accommodations in Cannes for $40,000 and personal funds were included in their investigation.
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Bianka Hellmich and Veronica Chou alongside Naomi Campbell were legally disenfranchised from these events. The attorneys of Campbell argue on her behalf that she was not an active participant as a trustee of high-ranking decisions and claim she was framed with a dummy email account.
It is also alleged that this email influenced the amendment of the regulation and that she was not given a chance to counter this statement in the process of examination. This task is of utmost importance to Campbell and she believes other people should be held responsible.
“Allowing me to appeal against the Charity Commission…it is for these reasons that I speak of being in a position of gratitude,” said Campbell
Naomi Campbell’s fashion for relief troubled history
Fashion for Relief was created to bring together people from the fashion industry to work toward global causes through high-profile fundraising events in London and Cannes. But certain aspects of their finances did raise eyebrows. According to the charity commission report, misuse of funds included transporting art and jewelry being overly extravagant, with a flight costing $15,381 ($15,354), and luxury spending associated with Campbell for €7,940 (£6,605).
Claiming to have adequate proof, the trustees said that the donor covered hotel expenses. The claim could not be substantiated and so the Commission concluded that some financial mismanagement had taken place. The charity may have recovered £344,000 and secured an additional £98,000, but the watchdog decided one thing. That the charity left too many of its resources vulnerable.
Campbell’s position remains unchanged as she says she will exonerate herself from all charges, claiming that the legal battle is just commencing. The charity commission has not yet responded to her claim.