A former Conservative Party branch treasurer from Cambuslang was involved in a £1 million VAT fraud and money laundering scheme, a court has heard.
Malcolm Macaskill, 65, submitted false VAT returns to HMRC, significantly inflating the sales figures of his sandwich businesses to fraudulently reclaim more than £800,000. He also laundered £200,000 through local Conservative Party branches in Glasgow and Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, where he served as treasurer and deputy chairman.
Additional funds were channelled through the bank accounts of his current and former wives.
Macaskill, of Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, faced multiple charges, including involvement in an alleged fraudulent VAT scheme and receiving criminal property. However, he was deemed unfit to stand trial due to a brain tumour.
Instead, a jury-less examination of facts hearing was held at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assess the circumstances of the case. Sheriff Paul Reid concluded that the facts against Macaskill had been “established.”
Macaskill was absent for most of the hearing and remains at his home. The case has been adjourned until later this year.
The alleged fraud took place between February 2003 and March 2014.
