Holocaust charity shut down over conduct of Russian trustee sanctioned following Ukraine invasion
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A Holocaust education charity has been shut down following the removal of its Russian trustee after he was sanctioned by the Government over the Ukraine invasion.
Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, a Russian businessman, had been a trustee of the World Holocaust Forum Foundation – a charity registered in 2021 and established to advance public education of the Holocaust.
However in April 2022, Dr Kantor had his assets frozen as part of sanctions imposed by the Government over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Commission opened its inquiry shortly afterwards when Dr Kantor failed to resign as a trustee.
It accused him of failing to cooperate with the Commission over his continued involvement in the charity, and concluded he was responsible for “misconduct and/or mismanagement” in the administration of the organisation.
Dr Kantor has been disqualified from holding office in a charity for life.
The regulator added that the charity is no longer viable following Dr Kantor being sanctioned by the Government.
It has therefore been wound up, with an interim manager appointed to transfer funds to an unconnected registered charity with similar purposes, the Commission said in a statement released today.
While it was dissolved and removed from the register of charities on Aug 4 this year, the Charity Commission has only just confirmed its winding-up after officially closing its inquiry.
‘Conduct fell below what is expected of trustees’
Joshua Farbridge, head of compliance, visits and inspections, said: “The Commission is clear that designated persons cannot legally act as trustees.
“By failing to step down, coupled with his failure to cooperate with the Commission, Dr Kantor’s conduct fell below that which the Commission expects of trustees.
“Where wrongdoing occurs in a charity, the Commission will ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions or lack of.
“In Dr Kantor’s case this meant removal from office and a life-long disqualification from acting as a trustee for any other charity.
“Our inquiry concluded that, subsequent to Dr Kantor’s designation, the charity had no viable future and should be wound up.”
‘Putin list’
The Commission said its inquiries into two other charities he is associated with – the Kantor Foundation and Kantor Charitable Foundation – are continuing.
The Kantor Charitable Foundation reportedly had donated £9 million to the King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone – a private hospital used and supported by the Royal family – and had promised £3 million to The Prince’s Foundation, now known as The King’s Foundation.
The donation raised eyebrows amid allegations Dr Kantor had been named by the US Treasury on a “Putin list” in 2018, and that the Russian leader had spoken at an event for the businessman’s foundation.
Dr Kantor was made a life governor of the hospital, which named its Kantor Medical Centre after him.
It later removed his name from the wing following the Government’s sanction.
