Edward Hughes was the second accountant to the Metropolitan Board of Works. Appointed in April 1864, in 1868 he was suspended when there was discovered to be a deficiency in the board's accounts. Over 2,000 pounds was found to be unaccounted for, and Hughes was prosecuted for "feloniously embezzling the monies of the board". following a trial at the Old Bailey he was found not guilty. He did admit to misusing the board's bank accounts, lodging and withdrawing his own funds, and was dismissed in 1869.