DUBLIN. - Household aid of U2 Band bassist Adam Clayton, Carol Hawkins was sentenced by a jury in Dublin criminal court for laundering over $3.6 million dollars from the super star. The three week trial resulted in a seven year prison sentence to the former caretaker.
The 48-year-old was guilty on 181 counts of embezzlement including writing checks from Clayton's bank account for her own use and using the musician's money to buy designer clothing, 22 thoroughbred horses, a car, university education for her two children and first-class flights. The laundering and fraud took place between 2004-2008.
Judge Patrick McCartan said to the jury, "Nothing, frankly, could explain away the scale of this dishonesty other than the greed in pursuit of a lavish lifestyle that was no responsibility of Mr. Clayton's...These were crimes rooted in greed and nothing else. Whether she was a fool or clever person really matters very little," as reported by the Associated Press.
Hawkins had known the 52-year-old bassist since 1992. Clayton hired her in 1995 to look after matters of the house including paying bills and managing the estate when he was away. Her annual salary was reported to be around $61,000, plus letting Hawkins and her husband live on the estate rent-free.
Clayton did not attend her trial the day of the verdict, but in his testimony admitted to not being aware of any of her activities and claimed that he did not authorize any of the expenses she claimed that he did. He specifically mentioned his shock over the 22 horses she purchased with his money without his knowledge.
Hawkins has declined to comment on the sentencing.
