JK Rowling sues former assistant for £24,000

Harry Potter author JK Rowling is suing her former personal assistant over ‘unauthorised spending sprees’ for almost £24,000.

The 53-year-old claims Amanda Donaldson, 35, broke signed professional protocol to buy personal gifts that included Harry Potter gifts and pricey cosmetic items over a three-year period.

Donaldson, from Lanarkshire Scotland, worked for Rowling between February 2014 and April 2017, before being dismissed for gross misconduct.

Legal papers filed state that Donaldson is accused of using Rowling’s company credit card to purchase gifts to the total amount of £23,696.

Rowling alleges that Donaldson made unauthorised payments for products that include:

• £1482 at luxury candle company Jo Malone

• £1636 at coffee chain Starbucks

• £3628 at luxury cosmetic retailer Molton Brown

• £823 at Edinburgh bakery Bibi Bakery

• £235 at bookstore chain Waterstones

Rowling also alleges that Donaldson stole several Harry Potter toys including a Hogwarts Express toy worth £467.56, a Harry Potter Wizard Collection worth £2231.76 and a Harry Potter Tales of Beedle The Bard Set worth £395.

She even claims her cards were used by Donaldson to buy two pet cats and that she took £7,742 worth of foreign cash from a deposit safe.

Donaldson denies the allegations and claims Rowling has ‘not suffered any loss and is not entitled to damages.’

A spokeswoman for Ms Rowling confirmed the case:

“I can confirm JK Rowling has taken legal action against her former personal assistant, Amanda Donaldson, following her dismissal for gross misconduct involving a substantial breach of trust.”

The case before Sheriff Derek O’Carroll is due back in court in December.

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