Glasgow hospitality group behind Lebowski's goes into liquidation amid embezzlement case

Prosecutors are unable to trace a business owner whose struggling restaurant firm is owed £19,000.

Hospitality group Kained Holdings – which owns Lebowski’s, Porter & Rye, Oyster Bar, and The Finnieston in Glasgow – were victims of embezzlement by James Killen.

The 36-year-old stole the cash from the restaurant in Glasgow’s Finnieston between October 22 and 30, 2018.

Killen, of Auchterarder – employed as the general manager at the time – had been in the role since 2015.

He took advantage of a new banking system to swipe £19,059.

Killen was caught after an audit into the banking process took place.

Killen pled guilty to a single charge of embezzlement at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Kained Holdings has been ordered to wind up by a court as it is unable to pay its debts.

Liquidators have also been appointed but it is understood that jobs are secured.

Killen’s lawyer told a sentencing hearing that a total of £19,059.56 is held by her firm and are waiting to pay it out.

Prosecutor Hannah Sweeney stated that the Crown had not identified where the money should go.

She added: “Inquiries are ongoing from my office which have been fruitless.

“The last thing would be to get a reporting officer – phone calls have been made to various restaurants who are part of the group.”

Sentencing was further deferred for five weeks by sheriff Ian Fleming for the Crown to find a destination for the cash.

In a statement to Facebook following the court proceedings informed customers that the venues would remain it open.

The statement read: “Given today’s news coverage and the reaction, we wanted to reach out to you, our customers, our suppliers and our friends to reassure you we are still here!

“Its business as usual for Porter & Rye, Lebowskis West, The Finnieston Bar & Restaurant and its Oyster Bar.

“The units are not closed and will not be closing – their futures are secure, as are the jobs of the amazing teams who work there.

Same staff, same venues, same buildings, same offerings.

“Thank you to everyone who has got in touch, we appreciate and understand your concern, but the outlets are here to stay and your bookings are safe.

“Thank you as always for your support.”