29 April 2008: Housing and Council tax benefit fraud case prosecuted

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On Monday 28 April Lewes District Council successfully prosecuted a benefit claimant for fraudulently claiming benefits.

Mr Robert Burton of Peacehaven was claiming benefits as a single person but in fact had a second person living with him that he failed to tell the benefit section about.  Mr Burton had claimed a total of £1629.12 for housing and council tax benefit for an 8 month period that he had no entitlement to. 

The council received information that someone was living with Mr Burton.  This prompted an investigator to visit Mr Burton at home.  Mr Burton denied anyone living with him and signed a statement to this effect.  Four days later Mr Burton wrote a letter to Lewes District Council stating that someone did come to help him but that the person did not live with him.  Mr Burton was then invited in for an interview in which he admitted that this person had been living with him since the start of his claim and that he did not declare it because he knew it would affect his entitlement.

Mr Burton pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 2 years conditional discharge and ordered to pay full costs of £225.  Lewes District Council is also seeking repayment of the overpaid benefits.

Lewes District Council’s anti fraud section investigated over 200 cases of suspected benefit fraud last year. Where fraud is established, the Council always considers prosecuting, in order to protect public funds and stop further abuse of the benefits system.

Lewes District Council encourages the public to identify fraudulent cases by calling its Fraud Hotline on 01273 484067 (24 hour answer machine), or its Investigation Section on 01273 484065, or by e mailing fraud.section@lewes.gov.uk. All calls are treated in the strictest confidence.

The types of fraud investigated include:
• People who say they are living alone but are not,
• People who say they are not working but are,
• People who fail to declare fully their income and capital,
• False tenancies and failing to advise the Council of changes in circumstances.

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Media enquiries: Liz Lacon, Communications Manager