Lawyer Leslie Deans charged with money laundering

Leslie Deans runs a chain of estate agents across Edinburgh with branches in Newington, Corstorphine and South Queensferry

An Edinburgh lawyer, who runs his own estate agency, has been charged with money laundering offences as part of an ongoing fraud inquiry.

Leslie Deans, 62, was arrested in Edinburgh a few weeks ago, but details have only just emerged.

The former Hearts chairman runs a chain of estate agents across Edinburgh with branches in Newington, Corstorphine and South Queensferry.

He was Hearts chairman between 1994 and 1999.

Disciplinary processes

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 spokesman for the Law Society of Scotland said it "operates a robust programme of inspections aimed at assessing compliance by solicitors with the society's accounts rules and money laundering legislation".

He added: "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."

A spokeswoman for Mr Deans refused to comment.