Civil Servant Admits Mistakes in Juggling Five Government Jobs
BBC News
Image source: PA Media
Image caption: Civil servant Kashim Chowdhury is accused of fraudulently earning more than £284,000 by working multiple full-time public sector jobs.
By Zoe Conway, Employment Correspondent
Published 21 October 2026, 13:08 BST
Updated 27 minutes ago
A civil servant accused of fraudulently earning more than £284,000 by juggling multiple public-sector jobs has admitted making mistakes but maintains there was no criminal intent.
Giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, Kashim Chowdhury told the jury he had made errors because he was "overwhelmed and stressed" and felt "terror and panic" at the thought of losing his livelihood. He stated he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2015, which was triggered in 2021.
The 55-year-old, from east London, is on trial accused of nine counts of fraud. He denies acting dishonestly or intending to make a dishonest gain.
Prosecution alleges Chowdhury concealed other full-time employment from his employers, but he claimed some of his managers were aware of his other jobs.
At the height of the alleged deceit, Chowdhury held five full-time jobs within the public sector, working 183 hours a week, according to the prosecution. Each job paid a full-time wage, with Chowdhury earning £11,000 for a single month in 2023.
The prosecution argues he managed the secrecy because he worked remotely, claiming he "exploited" his role as a sole carer for his elderly mother. A number of his line managers testified that he performed poorly in his roles.
The prosecution also alleges Chowdhury used fake sick notes as part of the scheme. While he told some employers he was unwell, he did not provide sick notes to others, the prosecution said, emphasizing his "dishonesty."
His line manager at the Health Security Agency, Aleesha Adams, described a video call in May 2023 where Chowdhury appeared wearing white makeup, which began to come off during the call, revealing heavy sweating.