Relief for Lubavitch as Charity Commission closes inquiry

She was pleased that “our intervention has led to increased transparency, so that the public are better able to see how the charity manages its finances. I expect these steps towards improved governance and reporting to continue.”

Although the commission did not compile report, it said its investigation found no evidence of fraud or mismanagement of assets.

But it noted that Lubavitch branches were often late in providing financial information to its central office, leading to the failure to submit accounts within the commission’s deadline.

Rabbi Pesach Efune, speaking on behalf of the charity’s trustees, said “We are delighted, but not surprised, to have now been given a clean bill of health by the commission.

“The inquiry was initiated whilst our processes were already under review and we took the opportunity to work with the Charity Commission to address every aspect of our governance and systems.”

A stronger management team which included a new finance director and chief operating officer had enabled it to submit its accounts on time for 2017, he said. “We…are well advanced to do so again this year, and we now  feel confident going forward in the future."