Citibank has emerged victorious in an employment tribunal where an employee was terminated for falsely claiming expenses related to sandwiches and coffee for their partner.

Szabolcs Fekete had accused the bank of wrongful termination after being dismissed for gross misconduct.

Originally, Mr. Fekete asserted that he had singlehandedly consumed two sandwiches, two coffees, and two pasta dishes during a business trip to Amsterdam.

However, he later admitted that his partner had shared some of these meals.

Mr. Fekete, who had served as an analyst specializing in financial crime at Citi for seven years, traveled to Amsterdam for work between July 3 and 5 last year.

Upon returning to London, he submitted an expense claim for food and beverages, believing it fell within the bank's €100 (£86.70) daily allowance.

Nonetheless, the manager reviewing his claim raised concerns about whether he had indeed consumed all the food and drinks for which he sought reimbursement.

In an email exchange outlined in the employment tribunal ruling, Mr. Fekete wrote: "I was on the business trip by myself and... I had 2 coffees as they were very small."

He also stated: "On that day I skipped breakfast and only had 1 coffee in the morning. For lunch, I had 1 sandwich with a drink and 1 coffee in the restaurant, and took another coffee back to the office with me and had the second sandwich in the afternoon… which also served as my dinner."

Mr. Fekete informed Citi: "All my expenses are within the €100 daily allowance. Could you please outline what your concern is as I don't think I have to justify my eating habits to this extent."

The bank clarified that its query wasn't about the amount spent but whether the claim violated its expense management policy, which explicitly disallows reimbursement for spousal travel and meals. It also specifies that all attendees whose meals are submitted for reimbursement must be listed.

Citi referred the matter to its security and investigations services department, which further inquired whether Mr. Fekete had shared a meal of pasta pesto and bolognese with his partner, to which he responded "no."

However, the banker later admitted to sharing meals with his partner. He also explained that he was experiencing personal difficulties due to his grandmother's passing, had taken six weeks of medical leave, and was on potent medication when he replied to emails.

Nevertheless, Citi decided to terminate his employment. In response, Mr. Fekete took Citi to court, alleging wrongful dismissal.

In a judgment initially reported by the Financial Times, Employment Judge Illing ruled in favor of Citi.

Judge Illing noted, "I have found that this case is not about the sums of money involved. This case is about the filing of the expense claim and the conduct of the claimant thereafter."

He added, "It is significant that the claimant did not make a full and frank disclosure at the first opportunity and that he did not answer questions directly."

Judge Illing further concluded, "The claimant was employed in a position of trust in a global financial institution. I am satisfied that even if the expense claim had been filed under a misunderstanding, there was an obligation upon the claimant to own up and rectify the position at the first opportunity. I accept that the respondent requires a commitment to honesty from its employees."

A Citi spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the decision. Photo by Mike Mozart from Funny YouTube, USA, Wikimedia commons.