Doctor Who Stole 1.1million to Fund Online Gambling Habit Jailed for More Than 3 Years – PokerTube

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. Chhapia helped to found.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard that father-of-one Chhapia gambled more than 2.5 million online, winning back only $1.2million.

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.

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.

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.

He revealed in court:

Stan Reiz QC, defending, told the court that Dr. Chhapia was

Claiming it was not a fall from grace but a product of a perfect storm, Reiz continued:

The court heard from Mr. Reiz that:

The defence QC also stated:

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.

Judge Keith Cutler said of Chhapias crime:

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Doctor Who Stole 1.1million to Fund Online Gambling Habit Jailed for More Than 3 Years - PokerTube