Harry Potter mastermind J.K. Rowling is reportedly suing her former personal assistant for allegedly purchasing a bunch of crap for herself using the author’s credit card.
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Amanda Donaldson, 35, has been accused of spending $15,790 on a business credit card and knocking off $4737 of the items purchased.
Court documents obtained by The Sun reveal Rowling’s husband Neil Murray was the one who spotted the scam.
He called a Michelin-starred Edinburgh restaurant that Donaldson was tasked with calling to book for a party, only to find out that it hadn’t been done.
Rowling told Sheriff Derek O’Carroll financial inaccuracies were later discovered when her accountant reviewed a spreadsheet that had been updated by Donaldson.
The former employee is claimed to have “fraudulently” marked entries as either for business or personal use by her boss. She is also accused of stealing $12,225 in foreign currency.
The separated mother-of-two allegedly dropped Rowling’s dough at Jo Malone and Molton Brown, and spent nearly $3158 in coffee shops and $363 in Waterstones.
Ironically, she also purchased a bunch of Harry Potter merchandise including a Motorised Hogwarts Express ($738.30), a Wizard’s Collection ($3524) and a Tales of Beetle the Bard set ($623).
Donaldson, who was fired for “gross misconduct”, has denied the claims and is said to have blamed J.K.’s nanny Fiona Shapcott on the thefts.
Court documents state Donaldson has refused to repay the sum. A spokeswoman for J.K. confirmed action to get the cash back is underway.
