A recently fired contestant on the BBC’s business talent show The Apprentice has been charged with four counts of fraud by false representation.
The charges against Christopher Farrell, 29, from Plymouth, relate to allegations that he forged documents, including pay slips and P60s, in a bid to secure mortgages for his clients.
CPS Devon and Cornwall, Senior Crown Advocate, David Gittins, said: "I received a file of evidence in relation to allegations of mortgage fraud in October.
"Having carefully considered all of the available evidence I have decided that Christopher Farrell be charged with four counts of fraud by false representation."
The mortgage broker, who appeared at Charles Cross police station on December 8, has been bailed to appear at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on December 22 – the regional paper, Plymouth Herald reported.
He was the first mortgage broker to ever appear on the reality TV show but at the end of November, Mr Farrell, a former marine, was fired after his team failed their task.
The former military man got the boot when his team Synergy, headed by investment banker Chris Bates, lost to rivals Apollo in their task of selling British crisps in Germany.
Mr Farrell was told that he lacked the ‘spark of genius’ required by business guru Lord Sugar.
But Mr Farrell, a former 42 Commando Royal Marines based in Plymouth, defended himself saying he thought it was possible to do well in business and remain ‘nice’.
Lord Sugar told him: “You do work hard. My concern is that you perhaps don't have that spark of entrepreneurial genius that I'm looking for.”
Mr Farrell added: “Lord Sugar says you can't be nice in business; that's one thing I do disagree with him with. Nice people get far in life sometimes.”
Police checks were carried out on Mr Farrell in August of last year, two weeks before he admitted two charges of possessing an offensive weapon.
Police found a knuckle-duster and extendable baton in his Mercedes after being called to his home following an allegation he hit his wife with the knuckle-duster. No official complaint was made.
By Shelley DeBere
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