Former Padiham council clerk faces fraud charges

Elizabeth Bolton (58), of Palace Gardens, Burnley Road, faces two counts of fraud by abuse of position.

The allegations relate to her time as town clerk at Padiham Town Hall dealing with the town council’s financial affairs.

One charge, relating to between January 2007 and December 2011, said the defendant committed fraud as Padiham town clerk, a role in which she was supposed to safeguard the financial interests of the town council, where it is said she dishonestly abused that position to make a gain by paying herself a salary in excess of that which she knew she was entitled.

The second charge, relating to the same period, said the defendant abused her position by making unauthorised transfers of money from a charitable trust account to disguise shortfalls in a different account for which she was responsible.

A hearing was due to take place at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court but was adjourned until November 18th.