U2 Bassist Adam Clayton Accuses Assistant Of Stealing $3.5 Million

Adam Clayton, the bassist for the band U2, testified in court today that his trusted personal assistant, Carol Hawkins, stole close to $4 million from him over the course of four years.

Clayton said that he gave his absolute trust to Hawkins and was “extremely surprised” to find out that she had stolen 181 checks from him over the years.

At the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin, Clayton said:

“She had my absolute trust. We had been together a long time; working together. She had been very conscientious. I felt she looked after my money and on many occasions accused others of being greedy, so I was extremely surprised.”

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Carol once admitted that she stole $16,000. After the incident, Clayton found a therapist for her so that she could work out her issues.

Clayton said:

“I was concerned for her health and recommended she see a therapist … In the matter of the money, I accepted she was a distressed woman. Her marriage broke up; her children had gone away. I said we would have to verify the amounts she had been claiming.”

But the theft didn’t stop. Carol, who was a signatory on Adam’s bank accounts, allegedly wrote 181 checks, totaling close to $4 million, to pay for vacations, clothing, horses.

Carol pleaded not guilty saying that the purchases she made were for Clayton’s enjoyment.

Clayton said that he has no interest in horses and did not give permission for Carol to write personal checks.

Clayton said:

“I would buy the things I wanted around me, Carol Hawkins bought Corn Flakes.”