October 31, 2022
Following an 8-day appeal against conviction hearing, Birmingham Crown Court entered a not guilty verdict for both Michael and Felicia’s clients.
Harman Banger, a former Councillor and Cabinet Member of Wolverhampton Council, had been charged together with his wife with Covid-19 Fraud. The allegation related to a business grant that had been applied for in 2020, as part of the Government’s Covid-19 support programme.
Michael led the counsel team for the appeal, co-defending with RLC member Felicia Davy. Michael was instructed by Deepak Vij (Director & Head of Fraud and Financial Crime at ABV Solicitors). Felicia (representing Neena Kumari, Mr Banger’s wife) was instructed by Hockam Salhan (Principal at MCS Solicitors Ltd).
Following a conviction before the Birmingham Magistrate’s Court, Michael was instructed to review the previous proceedings, to advise on strategy and to represent Mr Banger at his appeal against conviction.
As part of the appeal proceedings expert forensic computer and accountancy evidence had been relied upon in addition to several witnesses called on behalf of Mrs Kumari whose evidence unequivocally established Mr Banger’s and his wife’s innocence.
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