Bobby Lee Smith, 37, held a managerial position within Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).
During the pandemic, he oversaw applications for electronic devices to the “Connecting Scotland Project” on behalf of the HSCP to support low-income individuals who had no internet access and were digitally isolated.
But Smith, of, East Kilbride, abused his position by stealing 129 Chromebook laptops and 301 iPads with a combined value of £124,644.96.
He was made subject of a restriction of liberty order for nine months and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work after a jury at Glasgow Sheriff Court found him guilty of embezzlement.
He was also made subject of a community payback order.
Fraser Gibson, Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow and Strathkelvin, said: “Bobby Lee Smith committed an egregious betrayal of trust.
“He took advantage of his position to embezzle equipment that was set aside to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“He showed no regard for the impact his crimes would have on those adults and children who relied on support from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.
“This offending involved embezzling a significant amount of public funds. He has now been brought to account for his crimes.
“Embezzlement is not a victimless crime. People who commit such crimes can expect to be held to account by prosecutors and the courts.”
Smith’s job as a health improvement lead ensured he was responsible for the management and delivery of any goods to the Glasgow City HSCP’s service users.
This group included those on low incomes and others who were “digitally excluded”.
Smith recorded on a spreadsheet the number of devices allocated to various groups including Restart Mental Health Services, Children Services and Parenting Services.
However, police were called in after an investigation by NHS counter fraud officers identified that 301 iPads and 129 laptops were missing from the data and could not be accounted for.
Some devices were delivered to his parents’ home as well as his own.
Out of 22 organisations who were due to receive the equipment from Glasgow City HSCP, only four matched in terms of what was purportedly issued to them and what was received.
A total of 119 devices were never recovered.