The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Court has ordered an employee of a real estate company to repay Dh437,464 to his employer, along with Dh100,000 in material and moral damages.
The company filed a civil lawsuit seeking repayment of the embezzled funds plus compensation, court fees, and legal expenses, after the employee was previously convicted by the Abu Dhabi Misdemeanor Court for Financial Crimes. He had been fined Dh500,000 for embezzlement, a ruling that was upheld on appeal and cassation. Despite the final criminal judgment, the employee refused to return the funds, prompting the civil action.
Case documents confirmed that the criminal verdict had established the employee’s guilt in unlawfully appropriating company funds. The court noted that although the employee attended the civil proceedings, he failed to present any evidence showing he had settled his liabilities. As a result, the court ordered him to pay the full claimed amount.
On the issue of damages, the court found that the company sustained both financial and reputational harm. It highlighted that the company was unable to utilise the funds, which were linked to tenants’ money it manages and invests. The court also recognised the reputational damage caused by the embezzlement, granting Dh100,000 in compensation.
