Alan O'Grady, 55, from Widnes in Cheshire, was director of Tailored Recruitment Services Ltd (TRS), which supplied staff to the warehouse sector and major UK companies in the north west of England.
TRS was wound up in 2017 with over £1 million owing to HMRC in unpaid taxes. The Insolvency Service investigation at that time found that Alan O'Grady had taken over £40,000 out of the company despite knowing it was insolvent. He told investigators he could not remember the transaction, however it was discovered he had used the money to fund a property purchase for his mother-in-law.
Alan O'Grady accepted a disqualification undertaking and was disqualified for 9 years in 2019 for his failure to maintain adequate accounts and records as director of TRS, and for withdrawing funds to the detriment of creditors.
The case proceeded to a criminal prosecution, to which O'Grady pleaded guilty and also agreed to repay £35,000.
He was sentenced on 19 October 2021 at Liverpool Crown Court by Miss Recorder Bex QC.
John Ingham at the Insolvency Service said:
This sentence will send a message to those who are in a position of trust as company directors, to honour their liabilities to creditors and in particular the public purse, rather than for personal or third-party gain.
Notes
Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of restrictions.
Information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.
