Former Hearts chairman on money-laundering charges

A solicitor who is a former chairman at Hearts FC has been charged with money-laundering offences.

Edinburgh lawyer Leslie Deans was arrested several weeks ago as part of an ongoing fraud inquiry, police said.

The 62-year-old runs a chain of estate agents in the city and was Hearts chairman in the late 1990s. The case is not linked to the club.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We can confirm that a 62-year-old man has been arrested and charged with money-laundering offences as part of an ongoing fraud inquiry. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.”

A Law Society of Scotland spokeswoman said: “The Law Society of Scotland operates a robust programme of inspections aimed at assessing compliance by solicitors with the society’s accounts rules and money laundering legislation.

“Failures to comply with obligations are taken seriously and can result in disciplinary processes or where appropriate result in referral to the authorities.

“The society combines its inspection programme with extensive educational activity to ensure that solicitors are aware of the requirements.”