Civil servant admits making mistakes while holding five government jobs simultaneously

Civil servant Kashim Chowdhury admitted to a jury at Southwark Crown Court that he made mistakes while working five government jobs at once, BBC News reported. The 55-year-old from east London is on trial facing nine counts of fraud. He is accused of fraudulently earning more than £284,000 by holding multiple public-sector positions simultaneously. [1]

BBC News reported that Chowdhury was contracted to work 183 hours a week, which is more hours than exist in a full seven-day week. Chowdhury testified that he did not believe there was criminal intent behind his actions. He told the court that he denied acting dishonestly or intending to make a dishonest gain. [1]

According to BBC News, Chowdhury explained that he was overwhelmed and stressed, feeling terror and panic at the prospect of losing his livelihood. He also told the jury that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2015, which was triggered again in 2021. [1]