Former London Mayor Charged with Fraud

Although not a full blown expose by the Telegraph, and not part of their investigation into the 646 club today we see that Boris Johnsons 3rd deputy mayor Ian Clement has been charged with fraud in relation to the alleged misuse of expenses.

Clement, who resigned from his post in June, is accused of five offences under the Fraud Act, Scotland Yard said.

The 44-year-old is due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates Court on September 8.

A spokesman for the Mayor said: "We are aware of this, but this is a matter for the Metropolitan Police and the Crown Prosecution Service."

Clement, from Crayford in Kent, was the deputy mayor for government and external relations.

He quit after allegations surfaced of "discrepancies" in his use of a corporate credit card.

Now rumours were rife as to the fact Clement had a lover who he had "entertained" on GLA expenses..............nice if you can get it.
See here for Evening Standard investigation.

Prior to serving as deputy major, he was leader of Bexley Council for two years.

Now Mr Clement has a history of well lets say keen card use. A summary of Clement's expenditure with the card reveals that between June 2007 and May 2008.he repaid £1,220.27 in "personal expenses" and accrued £2,946.58 on the card in expenses paid by Bexley.

The personal expenditure included a bill for £364.31, originally paid in Euros. This was raised by a hotel in Cologne in 28 December 2007. It also included a meal at the Oxo Tower restaurant on 13 March 2008, when he was still leader of Bexley but also giving time to Boris Johnson's campaign to become London mayor. Another bill paid using the Bexley card was for £513 at the Park Plaza in County Hall, which was the headqarters of Johnson's campaign. This was paid on 4th May 2008, two days after Johnson's victory.

Among the items Clement used the card to pay for but did not reimburse Bexley for were more than 50 travelcards bought at his local railway station, Crayford, between October 2007 and April 2008 ranging in price from £13.20 to £13.80. The months in question coincide with Boris Johnson's election campaign, in which Clement played a sometimes prominent part.

He is currently on bail.