Ema Alice: The six officers were suspended and arrested after a Home Office investigation into thefts from migrants and laundering money between August 2021 and November 2022. They were subsequently charged with concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
They also face prosecution for misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment as a common law offence tried at a crown court.
One of the officers was also charged with obtaining leave to enter and remain in the UK by deception, and possessing an identity document with improper intent.
The investigation was carried out by the Home Office’s anti-corruption investigators supported by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). A Home Office spokesman said: “These are extremely concerning allegations and it is right that criminal proceedings now run their course.
“When this information came to light, all six of these individuals were immediately suspended. We expect all of our officers to meet the highest standards. Where those standards are breached, we will take action without hesitation.”
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS special crime division, said: “Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
“We have worked closely with the Home Office’s anti-corruption criminal investigations unit as they carried out their investigation.”
All six defendants will appear at Westminster magistrates’ court on Jan 29.
Besmir Matera, 36, of Reigate, Surrey, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
He is also accused of obtaining leave to enter to remain in the UK by deception, and three counts of possession of an identity document with improper intention.
Lee-Ann Evanson, 42, of Bracknell, Berks, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, contrary to common law, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
John Bernthal, 53, of Welling, south-east London, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
Ben Edwardes, 45, of Bexleyheath, south-east London, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
Jack Mitchell, 33, of Dover, Kent, is charged with conspiracy to steal, misconduct in public office, and concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property. David Grundy, 43, of Croydon, south London, is charged with concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property.
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