Naomi Campbell, the renowned supermodel, has been banned from serving as a charity trustee for five years due to financial misconduct at her charity, Fashion for Relief. The United Kingdom’s Charity Commission released a report stating that the charity was poorly governed and had inadequate financial management. The investigation revealed that less than 9% of the charity’s earnings were spent on grants and causes, with some expenses deemed unreasonable. These expenses included a stay at a five-star hotel and security for Campbell during an event at Cannes Film Festival in 2018, as well as spa treatments, room service, and cigarette purchases.
Two of Campbell’s co-trustees, Bianka Hellmich and Veronica Chou, have also been barred from serving as trustees for nine and four years respectively. Hellmich received over £290,000 ($388,000) in unauthorized consultancy fees.
The commission found that Fashion for Relief failed to properly manage partnerships with two charities: Save the Children Fund and the Mayor’s Fund for London. Interim managers were brought in to make outstanding payments totaling about £345,000 ($460,000) to these charities.
Fashion for Relief was officially registered in 2015 but was dissolved this March after being founded by Campbell in 2005. The charity claims to have supported various humanitarian causes such as the Ebola crisis and Hurricane Katrina.
Campbell expressed her concern about the findings of the Charity Commission during an interview with The Associated Press in Paris. She stated that she had just learned about the report and is investigating on her side since she was not in control of her charity.
It is worth noting that Campbell was honored as a knight of the Order of Arts and Letters at the French Ministry for Culture on Thursday night.
USA TODAY has reached out to Campbell’s representatives for comment on this matter.
