Former Aberdeen councillor Cassie admits cash scam

Scott Cassie had served as a councillor with Aberdeen City Council

A former Aberdeen councillor has pleaded guilty to charges relating to the embezzlement of thousands of pounds from a sports society.

Scott Cassie, 60, who resigned as a councillor this week, admitted taking £13,500 from Kaimhill Outdoor Sports Society.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court he admitted the offences which took place while he was working as a city councillor.

Sentence has been deferred until a hearing next month.

Cassie, who had a street named after him near his Garthdee home, stepped down from his role as the Liberal Democrat group's deputy leader after allegations about the financial irregularities were made public last year.

However, he continued to carry out his work as a councillor in the city representing the Garthdee, Airyhall and Broomhill areas.

He committed the offences between August 1998, and May 2009.

Quit post

He quit his post this week before his court appearance, citing "personal reasons".

Meanwhile, the Crown Office said on Thursday it had dropped embezzlement charges against Cassie's wife, Moira.

In a statement, it said: "The procurator fiscal at Aberdeen received a report concerning Moira Cassie, 58, in connection with alleged incidents occurring between January 2002 and January 2005.

"Solemn proceedings were subsequently raised against her, charging her with embezzlement.

"It is the duty of the Crown to keep cases under review, and after full and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case by Crown Counsel it was decided that there should be no further proceedings. The case against her is now closed."