Ex-Southern Water boss charged with conspiracy to defraud over water tests
Former Southern Water CEO Matthew Wright and three others have been charged with conspiracy to defraud environmental and financial regulators. The charges relate to allegations of manipulating water quality tests between 2012 and 2017.
Why it matters
This case highlights corporate accountability and the legal challenges involved in regulating environmental compliance within the utility sector.
Image source, PA Image caption, Matthew Wright is accused alongside three others of conspiring to defraud the Environment Agency and Ofwat
The former chief executive of Southern Water has been charged with conspiracy to defraud authorities over allegations he was involved in a plan to manipulate water quality tests to avoid millions of pounds in penalties.
Matthew Wright is accused alongside three others of conspiring to defraud the Environment Agency (EA) and water regulator Ofwat.
The EA previously asked a judge to issue a summons against Wright, charging him with the offence, along with Philip Barker, Clive Massey and Mark Gregory.
The summons was issued last year but Wright launched a legal challenge which was dismissed by two senior judges on Wednesday.
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