Harristocracy, Amanda Quinn and the McGonigle connection

A few months ago, I posted about Sheep to Chic and Harristocracy, Elaine McGonigle's new ventures. Several people left comments on the post, one a supplier she ripped off, the other was from Mandy Quinn, a director of the tweed bag retailer, Harristocracy. She was adamant about distancing herself and 'her' company from McGonigle. 'Mcgonigle is no longer a 'supplier' she wrote. Nothing to do with her, just someone who supplied bags to her.

Well it's just lovely that Amanda 'Mandy' Quinn and McGonigle have got together again, this time at the High Court in Edinburgh.

If you read about halfway down this article some very interesting connections between Amanda Quinn and Elaine McGonigle pop up:

http://m.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/sick-kids-fraud-claims-charity-boss-meeting-denied-1-3551070

1 Quinn was directly employed by McGonigle at the New Pyjamas Charity as her PA

2 Quinn also worked with McGonigle at the Princess Royal Carers Charity, and both left at the same time, in odd circumstances. 

3 Both are named as directors of Sheep to Chic

4 Both were directors of Ladywell Designs

5 Both shared the same address in Eroll, Perthshire under the Electoral Register.

https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/directors/ladywell-designs

Oh dear Amanda, nothing to do with Elaine McGonigle eh? 

All Over for Ladywell Designs, but Elaine McGonigle's new venture rises

It looks like the plug has been pulled on Ladywell Designs. But in a last ditch attempt to raise cash a new Sheep to Chic shop has opened in Auchterarder.  The directors? Her sons Lewis and Richard, but Elaine McGonigle still at the helm.

Her journey of delusion and self promotion continues, even though the books have shown that Ladywell Designs folded with assets less than £2000 , owing tens of thousands to suppliers. Gone are the claims of innovative product lines and generational links to Harris weavers. Gone are the quotes from 'satisfied customer', or rather McGonigle and her sons. 

The web pages claiming international clients and order books are gone, with McGonigle and her sons no longer company directors since July 2013. 

And if you need proof of the fantasy businesswoman lifestyle McGonigle lived, the company's registered address in Errol Perthshire is now subject of an eviction order. McGonigle has not paid the rent. Not suprising considering her penchant for large houses and luxury cars. All on tick, owing thousands to her landlord while money was frittered on expensive holidays. As it going to end any other way? 

Don't be surprised if we see her suing her landlord for harassment . Just like she does with everyone else after each of her staggering self inflicted failures. 

No doubt her lawyer will use this to justify another delay in her trial. That she will now be claiming on full legal aid.

More news when I get it.

Sheep and Chic

Whilst the delaying tactics to postpone the inevitable fraud trial continue, Elaine McGonigle has been busy setting up shop in Perth, 'Sheep to Chic' with her son as the front man.

Best not to associate her name with the shop, lest it put off potential shoppers. After all, would you give money to a woman who literally stole money from sick children. 

Elaine McGonigle/ Eli Mac owner of Ladywell Designs

McGonigle the self publicist lording it up in front of the press. Perhaps afterwards she headed on holiday using the charity's cash....?

A history of Fraud?

Fraud. Looking back through Elaine McGonigle's employment history you might start to see a pattern evolving.
She may have a talent for designing bags, but its more than matched by her real talent for lining her pockets while doing a terrible job.
Events Co-ordinator for St Andrews University, 2000 to 2002. Suspended for alleged Gross Misconduct, and then she counter claims harassment against her boss. Drops the charges in exchange for a cash sum.
Fundraising Director, Princess Royal Trust For Carers, 2003 to 2005. Left 'under a cloud' for irregularities in processes, rumoured she counter claimed harassment again for a cash settlement
2008- 2009 Campaign Director, The Rosslyn Chapel Trust. Fired because 'she failed to bring in a single penny'. This is referred to as her Secret Job; she juggled this one at the same time as the Sick Kids job, even though neither organisation was aware of this. An insider at Rosslyn says she never attended a single meeting, was never seen by anyone, and just 'took the pay, nothing else'. See the link below for verification:

http://m.fifetoday.co.uk/news/local-headlines/sick-kids-appeal-boss-held-second-secret-job-1-1230455

2008-2010 Fundraising Director, New Pyjamas Campaign, Sick Kids Hospital. Lost a fortune. Raised just under £60k in 18 months, but spent £600k on balls, parties and lavish PR functions. Over the same period the Sick Kids own fundraising spent £40k but raised £2M! Currently on trial for Fraud, for spending funds on herself.
Simple stuff really. Of course the question you should be asking yourself is 'should anyone be supporting her business?'.

Fraud, Fake Meetings and Flights of Fancy

Probably it's easier to understand who you'll be supporting if you buy one of these Harris Tweed bags if you read the article from The Scotsman (link at bottom of the page)

It's worth remembering that when McGonigle was making these alleged fraudulent claims, she was on a £70k salary. But why pay for holiday flights for your family out of that huge pay packet when you can use the money was earmarked to help raise funds for a children's hospital.

Even more interesting, is that one of the beneficiaries of her holiday flight scam was her son, Lewis, who at the time was hired by McGonigle as her personal assistant at a £20k salary, all paid for from the Sick Kids funds.

No surprises then that Lewis McGonigle appears as the other director of Ladywell Designs....nice to keep it all in the family, isn't it?

http://m.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/health/former-sick-kids-charity-boss-accused-of-making-false-expenses-claims-1-2613143

The Problem with Ladywell Designs

What problem you ask?

It's all about who, why and what.

The Who is it's founder, director and leader, Eli Mac...who is actually Elaine McGonigle.

The Why is all about Elaine Mcgonigle's history of destroying peoples reputations and hard earned fundraising cash for charities.

The What is how she does it, and what she wants to get out of it. And that is cash and an easy life.

Interested?

I was too, whan my wife bought me a tweed laptop bag this Christmas and I Googled Ladywell Designs. Something twigged in the back of my mind, and it didn't take long to start unravelling a cover story, and discovering a tale of greed, incompetence and self-importance that has become Elaine McGonigle's trademark.

A little sample of her work as an introduction, courtesy of The Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/scottishnews/3968314/.html