Naomi Campbell banned from charity role for misusing funds

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a trustee for any charity for five years after an investigation revealed significant financial misconduct within her organization, Fashion For Relief.

The UK Charity Commission announced its findings on Tuesday, indicating that Fashion For Relief, founded by Campbell, had been removed from the charity register. The organization was established to alleviate poverty and promote health and education by providing grants and resources to those in need.

However, between April 2016 and July 2022, only 8.5% of the charity's total spending went towards charitable grants. The inquiry found no evidence that Campbell or the other trustees evaluated whether their fundraising methods were in the charity’s best interest, or if the costs incurred were reasonable compared to the funds raised.

The report highlighted that substantial amounts were spent on luxury accommodations, spa treatments, and personal security for Campbell rather than on charitable activities.

Two other trustees of Fashion For Relief also received bans. Tim Hopkins, the Charity Commission's Deputy Director for Specialist Investigations, stated, “Trustees are legally required to make decisions that are in their charity’s best interests. Our inquiry found that these trustees failed to do so, leading to our action to disqualify them.”

This incident adds to Campbell's history of legal troubles. She has faced multiple assault charges over the years, including a notable case in 2006 where she pleaded guilty to assaulting her maid.

Earlier this month, Campbell was also in the spotlight for arriving late to an event where she was receiving an award, leading to comments from Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who humorously called her out for her tardiness. Campbell defended herself, noting that she arrived just moments before she was scheduled to speak.

The fallout from the charity's investigation underscores the importance of accountability in charitable organizations, particularly those led by high-profile individuals.

Source: New York Post