Naomi Campbell barred from being charity trustee in England and Wales

LONDON (AP) — British supermodel Naomi Campbell has been barred from being a charity trustee in England and Wales for five years after the poverty charity she founded nearly two decades ago was deemed Thursday to have been “poorly governed” with “inadequate financial management.”

Following a three-year investigation into the financial activities of “Fashion for Relief,” the Charity Commission, which registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, said it had found “multiple instances of misconduct and/or mismanagement,” and that only 8.5% of the charity’s overall expenditure went on charitable grants in a six-year period from 2016.

For example, it said that thousands of pounds worth of charity funds were used to pay for a luxury hotel stay in Cannes, France, for Campbell as well as spa treatments, room service and even cigarettes. The regulator sought explanations from the trustees but said no evidence was provided to back up their explanation that hotel costs were typically covered by a donor to the charity, therefore not costing the charity.

Campbell, 54, said she was “extremely concerned” by the findings of the regulator and that an investigation on her part was underway.

“I was not in control of my charity, I put the control in the hands of a legal employer,” she said in response to a question from the AP after being named a knight in France’s Order of Arts and Letters at the country's culture ministry for her contribution to French culture. "We are investigating to find out what and how, and everything I do and every penny I ever raised goes to charity.”

The commission, which registers and registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, also found that fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich received around 290,000 pounds ($385,000) of unauthorized funds for consultancy services, which was in breach of the charity's constitution. She has been disqualified as a trustee for nine years. The other trustee, Veronica Chou, was barred for four years.

“Trustees are legally required to make decisions that are in their charity’s best interests and to comply with their legal duties and responsibilities,” said Tim Hopkins, deputy director for specialist investigations and standards. “Our inquiry has found that the trustees of this charity failed to do so, which has resulted in our action to disqualify them.”

The charity, which was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, was dissolved and removed from the register of charities earlier this year. On its website, which is still active, the charity said that it presented fashion initiatives and projects in New York, London, Cannes, Moscow, Mumbai and Dar es Salaam, raising more than $15 million for good causes around the world.

The charity had been set up with the aim of uniting the fashion industry to relieve poverty and advance health and education, by making grants to other organizations and giving resources towards global disasters.

The commission said that around 344,000 pounds ($460,000) has been recovered and that a further 98,000 pounds of charitable funds have been protected. These funds were used to make donations to two other charities and settle outstanding liabilities.  

“I am pleased that the inquiry has seen donations made to other charities which this charity has previously supported,” said the regulator's Hopkins.

Lesprit reported from Paris.

Naomi Campbell, right, greets French Culture Minister Rachida Dati after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati delivers a speech after she awarded Naomi Campbell with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Naomi Campbell delivers a speech after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, right, at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Naomi Campbell delivers a speech after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Naomi Campbell poses with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", after being awarded by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Naomi Campbell delivers a speech after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Naomi Campbell delivers a speech after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, right, awards Naomi Campbell with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Naomi Campbell delivers a speech after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

FILE - British model Naomi Campbell arrives for the inaugural King's Foundation charity awards at St James's Palace in London, Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File)

Naomi Campbell cries after being awarded with the medal of "Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres", at the Culture ministry, in Paris, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Democrat looking to unseat an incumbent Republican in a close Iowa congressional race, one of a handful yet to be called after Republicans won control of the U.S. House, has asked for a recount.

Democrat Christina Bohannan's campaign on Thursday requested the recount in her bid against Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks to represent Iowa’s 1st District. The initial tally puts Bohannan fewer than 1,000 votes — less than a percentage point — behind Miller-Meeks.

The contest is a much tighter rematch of 2022, when Miller-Meeks won by 7 percentage points. Miller-Meeks earned a first term in Congress representing Iowa’s 2nd District when she defeated Democrat Rita Hart by just six votes in 2020.

The Associated Press has not yet called the race because the margin was close enough that it could prompt a recount. Miller-Meeks has declared victory and said she was confident in her lead.

Bohannan's campaign said in a statement that the recount will make certain “that every voter is heard,” but that they have “full trust in this process and will accept the results regardless of the outcome.”

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Miller-Meeks' campaign accused Bohannan and other Democrats of being “election deniers.”

“This is a delaying tactic to thwart the will of the people,” the statement said. “A recount won’t meaningfully change the outcome of this race as the congresswoman’s lead is mathematically impossible to overcome.”

Republican incumbents held onto Iowa’s three other congressional seats, including the competitive 3rd District where Zach Nunn fended off a challenge from Democrat Lanon Baccam.

Republican incumbents Ashley Hinson in the 2nd District and Randy Feenstra in the 4th District won decisively. Hinson defeated Democrat Sarah Corkery. Feenstra defeated Democrat Ryan Melton.

On Wednesday, Republicans won enough seats to control the U.S. House, completing the party’s sweep into power and securing their hold on U.S. government alongside President-elect Donald Trump. A House Republican victory in Arizona, alongside a win in slow-counting California earlier in the day, gave the GOP the 218 House victories that make up the majority.

Republicans earlier gained control of the Senate from Democrats.

FILE - Democratic nominee for Iowa's 1st congressional district Christina Bohannan waves to supporters during an election night watch party at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City, Iowa, Nov. 5, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette via AP File)

FILE - Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, speaks with local farmers on the set of the Barn Talk podcast on the Whisler family farm near Washington, Iowa, Nov. 1, 2024. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette via AP FILE)