Supermodel Naomi Campbell is set to challenge her five-year ban from serving as a charity trustee in the United Kingdom, claiming she was impersonated through a fraudulent email account.

Campbell, aged 54, was disqualified last year by the Charity Commission— the regulator for charities in England and Wales— following an investigation into her charity, Fashion for Relief. The watchdog cited serious mismanagement of funds, including the use of charity money to cover her stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, France, as well as for spa treatments, room service, and cigarettes.

The commission's inquiry led to the disqualification of Campbell and two other trustees. At the time, Campbell expressed her concern, stating she was “not in control of my charity,” having “placed the control in the hands of a lawyer.”

Her appeal is scheduled for a tribunal hearing on Friday.

Allegations of Impersonation and Misrepresentation

Campbell's representatives allege that the documents provided to the Charity Commission misrepresented her involvement in the charity’s management. They claim that a fake email account was utilised to impersonate Campbell in correspondence with legal representatives, resulting in her being unaware of the allegations during the inquiry.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Campbell remarked:

“I am grateful to the tribunal for allowing me to appeal the Charity Commission’s findings after considering the evidence I have submitted. Ever since the commission’s report, I have fought to uncover the facts.”

She continued, “Having begun legal action, I will have more to say in due course. This is just the beginning. As I have said before, I have never undertaken philanthropic work for personal gain, nor will I ever do so.”

Investigation into Fashion for Relief

The Charity Commission began its investigation into Fashion for Relief in 2021. The charity, which aimed to unite the fashion industry to combat poverty and promote health and education, was dissolved and removed from the UK charities register last year.

Fashion for Relief organised fundraising events in cities such as Cannes and London, intending to provide grants to other organisations and support global disaster relief efforts.

According to the Charity Commission’s findings in September, £344,000 (€413,496) was recovered, and a further £98,000 (€117,798) of charitable funds was safeguarded.

From April 2016 to July 2022, only 8.5% of the charity’s overall expenditure was directed towards charitable grants. The investigation found no evidence that the trustees ensured fundraising activities served the charity’s best interests or that expenditure was proportionate to income generated.

The inquiry also cited misconduct or mismanagement by the trustees, highlighting a €14,800 (£12,312) flight from London to Nice in 2018 for transporting art and jewellery to a fundraising event in Cannes.

Additionally, it questioned the use of €9,400 (£7,820) for a three-night stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes for Campbell, along with nearly €7,940 (£6,605) in associated expenses, including spa treatments, room service, and cigarettes.

The trustees claimed that a donor typically covered hotel costs, ensuring no expense to the charity; however, they failed to provide evidence to substantiate this claim.

Alongside Campbell’s five-year disqualification, Bianka Hellmich was banned as a trustee for nine years, and Veronica Chou for four years.

The Charity Commission has been approached for comment.