Citibank Analyst Dismissed for False Expense Claims, Judge Rules in Favor of Bank
A financial analyst working for Citibank in London has lost a legal battle against the bank for wrongful dismissal. Szabolcs Fekete was fired after falsely claiming a two-sandwich lunch on his expense report. The judge ruled that Citibank was justified in sacking Fekete for gross misconduct due to his dishonesty about his expenses.
Fekete, a financial crime expert, filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful and unfair dismissal. He had claimed to have consumed two sandwiches, two coffees, and two pasta dishes during a business trip to Amsterdam in July 2022. However, it was later revealed that he had actually shared the meals with his partner.
When questioned by the company about his expenses, Fekete responded by email, stating that he had been on the business trip alone and had only consumed two small coffees. He claimed to have eaten one sandwich for lunch and the second one in the afternoon, which he said also served as his dinner. Fekete argued that the amounts he claimed were within the bank’s daily expense limit of 100 euros ($105) and that he shouldn’t have to justify his eating habits.
During the bank’s investigation, Fekete admitted that his partner had accompanied him on the trip, but he maintained that he had consumed all the food himself. He later cited personal problems following the death of his grandmother, claiming to be on medical leave and medication when responding to the emailed questions regarding his expense claim.
After a hearing in September, Employment Judge Caroline Illing ruled in favor of Citibank, emphasizing that it wasn’t about the monetary value of the claim but rather Fekete’s failure to disclose the truth. The judge acknowledged that the expense report may have been mistakenly submitted but concluded that the dismissal based on the misrepresentation allegation was a reasonable response from a reasonable employer.
Citibank, like any other organization, expects honesty and integrity from its employees. The judgment, which was issued on September 19 and recently reported by the Financial Times, serves as a reminder of the importance of truthful disclosure when it comes to financial matters.
