Former SNP representative Natalie McGarry was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing nearly $25,000 from two pro-independence organizations.
The court was given Natalie McGarry’s bank records, which revealed that Women for Independence (WFI) Crowdfunder donations were transferred to her account. They included transfers totaling £10,472.52 on April 29, 2014, and £9,848.70 on November 12, 2014.
Following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court, McGarry, 40, who represented the Glasgow East seat between 2015 and 2017, was found guilty of two offenses.
In May, it was discovered that she had embezzled £19,974 while serving as Women for Independence (WFI) treasurer between 26 April 2013 and 30 November 2015.
In addition, a jury determined she embezzled an additional £4,661 while serving as treasurer, secretary, and convener of the Glasgow Regional Association (GRA) of the SNP between 9 April 2014 and 10 August 2015.
On both counts, a majority found her guilty.
When she returned to Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, Sheriff Tom Hughes imposed a two-year prison sentence.
Sheriff Hughes stated in sentencing McGarry that she had misled those who had placed their trust in her and that a prison sentence was inevitable.
Society has every right to expect the greatest standards from those who seek and ultimately attain high public office, he told the former SNP member of parliament.
He said, “By participating in these offenses, you have not only abused the confidence of others but also fallen far short of the standards the public has a right to expect from MPs.”
During the six-week trial, scores of witnesses testified, including Scotland’s former health secretary Jeane Freeman, who testified that she reported McGarry after seeing a major discrepancy in WFI accounting.
Ms. Freeman stated she was unaware that donations to the group’s Crowdfunder for independence were being transferred from the organization’s PayPal account to McGarry’s bank account.
The court was given McGarry’s bank records, which revealed that WFI Crowdfunding funds were transferred to her account.
These included transfers of £10,472.52 on 29 April 2014 and £9,848.70 on 12 November 2014, which she used to cover her rent and shopping expenses.
McGarry had contended that she was reimbursing herself for “legitimate” expenses that she had incurred.
Current Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf revealed that he provided $600 to McGarry to avert her eviction.
McGarry resigned as party leader after allegations of fraud surfaced, which she rejected.
In 2017, she did not run for re-election as an independent candidate.
