main content Benefit Fraud prosecution 12th June 2007

A benefit fraudster was recently sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court bringing the total prosecuted to 107 since the inception of Bromley Council’s partnership with Greenwich Council in April 2002.

Council Leader Stephen Carr said “This prosecution together with those that we have previously published shows our determination to vigorously pursue fraudsters and protect public funds.”

Christine Whitlock, 53 of Isabella Drive, Orpington, pleaded guilty to defrauding Bromley Council of housing and council tax benefits totalling £13,496 for the period 2001 and 2005. In submitting claims on behalf of her mother, she had failed to disclose that they held capital in various bank accounts. The fraud was identified following a housing benefit matching service. She was sentenced on the 7th June 2007 to a £600 fine with a further £400 awarded for costs.


The Council is in the process of recovering the overpayment of benefit.

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

Anyone with information about a suspected benefit fraud should contact (in strict confidence) the Fraud Hotline on 0800 169 6975 

Bromley Council works in partnership with Greenwich Council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team. 

For media enquiries, please contact Luis Remedios, Audit Manager, on 020 8313 4886 or email luis.remedios@bromley.gov.uk