The former vice-chairman of Gillingham FC, who stepped down last week after allegations of fraud in the US, was vetted and approved by the Football League within the past year, it has emerged.

Michael Anderson is facing up to 60 years in an American jail over charges of defrauding the country’s military health care system of nearly $6 million.

More than £1 million he has put into Gillingham could be reclaimed by prosecutors if they can prove a link between his investment and the alleged deception.

Mr Anderson became a director of the club in June 2009, passing the “fit-and-proper persons” test set by the English Football League.

A source closed to the EFL, as it is now known, confirmed Mr Anderson had passed the examination again within the past 12 months, now known as the owners’ and directors’ test.

The assessment is designed “to protect the image and integrity of the league and its competitions, the well-being of the clubs, and the interests of all of the stakeholders in those clubs”.

Mr Anderson ran a pharmaceutical company called DMA Logistics LLC, which was set up in Florida in 2014.

He is accused of being involved in a scam which drew up fake prescriptions for pain creams using details of US military personnel, then passing them off to medical professionals in return for a kickback.

Gillingham chairman Paul Scally published a statement on the club’s website on Wednesday confirming Mr Anderson had stepped down from his position at the club until legal proceedings are resolved.

He said: “Mr Anderson has no shareholding in Gillingham Football Club nor associated companies, he is a non-executive director and has no executive involvement in the day to day running of the football club or associated companies.

“I have spoken to the EFL, they have noted the position.

“The club is unable to make any further comment on the matter.”

Mr Anderson, 64, who lives in West Malling, would not be drawn on the allegations, except to say: “I’m sorry but I am unable to comment on the ongoing investigation. As soon as I am vindicated, I will be pleased to give you a statement.”

The EFL said it does not comment on individual cases concerning the owners’ and directors’ test.