Businessman Howard Grossman Acquitted of Political Donation Offences

In a recent trial at Warwick Crown Court, businessman and property developer Howard Grossman and former Conservative MP David Mackintosh were acquitted of concealing the true source of £39,000 in donations to his 2015 general election campaign. Mackintosh, who represented the Northampton South constituency from 2015 to 2017, was accused alongside our client Mr Grossman who was represented by Ben Richardson, Director and Head of Financial Crime. Howard Grossman was the first defendant in a trial for offences contrary to Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.  The trial was the first of its kind under this Act.

The prosecution alleged that Grossman attempted to disguise the donations through a series of proxy donors in an attempt to avoid exceeding the £7,500 limit on individual contributions. They argued that Mackintosh was aware of the true source of the money and had deliberately concealed it from the Electoral Commission. Mr Grossman vehemently denied these allegations, stating that he was instructed by Northampton party member and chairman, Suresh Patel to make the donations in this way.

Richardson Lissack instructed Neil Hawes KC from Crucible Chambers and Vedrana Pehar from Matrix Chambers.

BBC article – Ex-Conservative MP David Mackintosh not guilty over election donations – BBC News