The regulator has launched an investigation into a disabilities charity amid concerns over its finances, including the transfer of £200,000 into a trustee’s private bank account.

A compliance case was opened by the Charity Commission into Birmingham based charity One Community Organisation last April over “serious financial and governance concerns”.

This has now been escalated into a statutory inquiry to examine the concerns further.

The investigation will look into concerns around the trustees’ management of the charity’s resources and financial affairs, compliance with their general legal duties and responsibilities and whether any failings identified are a result of misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees”, according to the regulator.

The scope of the investigation may be extended if further concerns emerge.

Concerns include a possible understating of the charity’s finances during 2017 and 2018.

Payments of more than £200,000 of charity funds online to a trustee’s private bank account is another. “The purpose of these payments is not clear,” added the regulator.

One Community was set up in 2009 to help disadvantaged communities in Birmingham. This includes working with people with special educational needs and children with hearing loss.

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