BBC accused of inflating severance fees

BBC under investigation for large pay-outs to top officials. Police in London said they may investigate allegations the BBC overpaid severance payments to 14 managers, costing taxpayers more than 1.5 million US dollars. A report from the National Audit Office found the BBC paid about 93 million US dollars in severance between April 2005 and March 2013, The New York Times reported Saturday.
A quarter of the broadcaster's senior managers received more than they were entitled to by contract, the Times said.
A spokesperson for the BBC, whose name was not reported, told The Telegraph, there was no criminal wrongdoing found during the audit.
London's Metro police said they are gathering information and considering launching a full investigation, CNNMoney reported.
The BBC Trust, which overseas the broadcaster on behalf of taxpayers said the findings were "deeply worrying, particularly the failure, in the past, of the BBC Executive and its Remuneration Committee to always follow agreed policy and entitlement."

Source: UPI