malversation
/ˌmalvəˈseɪʃ(ə)n
/noun [mass noun] formal
Corrupt behaviour in a position of trust, especially in public office: a charge of malversation...
- The court said she and her three associates ‘were acquitted of the crime of malversation for insufficiency of evidence to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.’
- In 1801, as 1st lord of the Admiralty, St Vincent prosecuted an inquiry into theft in the dockyards which contributed to Lord Melville's impeachment in 1806 for malversation of funds.
- I've seen, as have we all, theft, fraud, intimidation, malversation.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from French, from malverser, from Latin male 'badly' + versari 'behave'.