A woman employed as a secretary at the Aga Khan's stud in Kildare for the past 27 years had been made a scapegoat for an alleged fraud committed by a former manager at the complex, the High Court was told yesterday.
The court heard that between 40 and 60 horses were kept at the stud farm at the expense of the Aga Khan, but without his knowledge.
The fraud was acknowledged by former manager, Mr Ghislain Drion, whose position was terminated in June, 1998.
Mr Ercus Stewart SC, representing Mrs Mary Charlton (54), Canalway, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, said when the defendant, the Aga Khan Stud Societe Civile, of Aigremont, Paris or someone within that organisation, wanted to find a scapegoat, they picked his client.
Mrs Charlton is seeking an order of attachment or committal against the Aga Khan and members of his staff. She has obtained a court order restraining the AKSSC from holding a disciplinary hearing involving her.
Mr Roddy Horan, for the Aga Khan's organisation, said his clients had indicated they accepted that Mrs Charlton neither committed any fraud, aided and abetted in one or that she was a beneficiary of the fraud committed at the stud.
The current hearing continues on Wednesday.