The director of a Bolton-based recruitment consultancy has been disqualified as a company director for 11 years for submitting timesheets he knew to be false.

A statement from the Insolvency Service reveals their investigation found Steven John Buntin, a recruitment consultant and director of Act-on Recruitment, submitted timesheets which he knew to be false to four payroll service providers, which enabled one employee to obtain funds of at least £42,991 to which she was not entitled and caused a loss to the providers of £74,992.

The providers would pay the employee the salary, commissions and bonuses specified on the timesheets submitted by Buntin and remit the income tax and National Insurance Contributions due to HM Revenue & Customs.

The investigation found between 22 August 2014 and 8 March 2015 Buntin issued false timesheets to the providers, instructing them to pay an employee for hours not worked and/or commission not earned. Additionally, invoices were issued to the providers, which resulted in the employee being paid twice for the same periods of employment.

Buntin has now signed a disqualification undertaking preventing him from acting as a company director for a period of 11 years, with effect from 18 November 2016.

The disqualification means he cannot control or manage a limited company without leave of the court.

Commenting on the case, Robert Clarke, head of insolvent investigations North at the Insolvency Service, said: “As the period of disqualification reflects, using false documents to deprive creditors of money is a serious matter and contrary to the conduct expected of a company director.

“Companies have limited liability, which is a privilege, not a right, and the Insolvency Service has strong enforcement powers, which we will not hesitate to use to remove that privilege from dishonest or reckless directors.”

According to Companies House records, Act-on Recruitment was placed into voluntary liquidation in June last year.

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