08:5615 Nov<\/p>\n
A popular and respected doctor in the English town of Portsmouth has been jailed for more than three years after embezzling over 1million to fund his online gambling habit. <\/p>\n
45-year-old Rumi Chhapia made 65 transfers totalling 1,133,704.50 to himself from a healthcare fund over a 41-day period in 2020, using the money to pay off his debts playing slot machines and roulette. <\/p>\n
The money was taken from Portsmouth Primary Care Alliance Limited (PPCA), a collection of GP practices that Dr. Chhapia helped to found. <\/p>\n
Portsmouth Crown Court heard that father-of-one Chhapia gambled more than 2.5 million online, winning back only $1.2million. <\/p>\n
Matthew Lawson, prosecuting, stated that the well-respected doctor made a full confession to taking the money from the PPCA. He had run into financial trouble and tried to repair his finances through online gambling but only proceeded to lose more. <\/p>\n
The defendant, described by the judge as a man of good character, was a director of the PPCA and accessed the funds unhindered during six weeks of madness when a colleague was signed off sick.<\/p>\n
Mr. Lawson stated, however, that Chhapia who has a previous conviction for drink driving had continued to steal money even after being confronted by colleagues.<\/p>\n
He revealed in court: <\/p>\n
Stan Reiz QC, defending, told the court that Dr. Chhapia was <\/p>\n
Claiming it was not a fall from grace but a product of a perfect storm, Reiz continued: <\/p>\n
The court heard from Mr. Reiz that: <\/p>\n
The defence QC also stated: <\/p>\n
Dr. Chhapia repaid 238,000 of the stolen funds himself, and was said to have contacted the online gambling firms involved, which led to the remaining 900,000 being refunded to the PPCA.<\/p>\n
Judge Keith Cutler said of Chhapias crime: <\/p>\n
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Doctor Who Stole 1.1million to Fund Online Gambling Habit Jailed for More Than 3 Years - PokerTube<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 08:5615 Nov A popular and respected doctor in the English town of Portsmouth has been jailed for more than three years after embezzling over 1million to fund his online gambling habit. 45-year-old Rumi Chhapia made 65 transfers totalling 1,133,704.50 to himself from a healthcare fund over a 41-day period in 2020, using the money to pay off his debts playing slot machines and roulette. The money was taken from Portsmouth Primary Care Alliance Limited (PPCA), a collection of GP practices that Dr. Continue reading