British supermodel Naomi Campbell has revealed “shocking” details as she challenges her disqualification from serving as a charity trustee. This includes the discovery that an email address was used to impersonate her in discussions with legal representatives. The 54-year-old was one of three individuals barred from being a trustee of Fashion For Relief, a charity she established in 2005 to support humanitarian efforts, following a Charity Commission investigation last year. The inquiry found that only a small fraction of the charity’s funds were directed towards genuine causes. Misconduct included using charity funds to cover Campbell’s expenses at a luxury hotel in Cannes, France, along with spa treatments, room service, and cigarettes. Fashion For Relief was dissolved and removed from the charity register last year. Trustees claimed that hotel expenses were usually covered by a donor, but they failed to provide evidence to substantiate this. Campbell expressed her “extreme concern” regarding the regulator’s findings, stating that she had “put the control in the hands of a lawyer” and was “not in control” of the situation.
Her case is set to be heard by a tribunal, as Campbell’s representatives argue that documents submitted to the commission misrepresented her role in managing the charity. She has also presented evidence of a fraudulent email account that was allegedly used to impersonate her in communications with lawyers, which prevented her from being aware of the allegations made during the Charity Commission’s inquiry and from responding to them.
“I am grateful to the tribunal for allowing me to appeal the Charity Commission’s findings after considering the evidence I have submitted,” Campbell stated. “Since the commission’s report, I have fought to uncover the facts. What has been revealed so far is shocking. I want to highlight how easy it is to create fake identities online and to prevent others from experiencing what I have endured. I aim to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that justice is served.” Campbell also indicated that she would provide further updates in the future.
