A National Crime Agency (NCA) officer has been accused of stealing nearly £60,000 worth of Bitcoin.
Paul Chowles, a 42-year-old from Bristol, allegedly took 50 of the cryptocurrency coins in 2017.
Tasked with fighting organised crime, he has now been charged with 15 offences as a result of an investigation into online organised crime.
Of these, 11 relate to concealing, disguising or converting criminal property.
He faces three charges of acquiring, using or possessing converting criminal property, as well as a singly charge of theft.
Chowles is due to appear in Liverpool Magistrate’s Court on April 25 this year.
An NCA spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm the charging of an NCA officer as part of a Merseyside Police investigation.
‘We are liaising closely with Merseyside Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. The NCA’s Anti-Corruption Unit supported the arrest and investigation, and the officer remains suspended while the proceedings are ongoing.
‘The NCA expects the highest standards of conduct and integrity from its officers, and deals seriously with any failure to meet them.
‘As this is a live court case, we are unable to comment further at this stage.’
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Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division, said: ‘We have authorised Merseyside Police to charge National Crime Agency officer Paul Chowles with 15 offences relating to the alleged theft of 50 Bitcoin, worth nearly £60,000 in 2017, during an investigation into online organised crime.’
He continued: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’
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