7 December 2009
City gets tough on benefit fraud
A City of London resident has been found guilty of benefit fraud
after claiming £36,403 for benefits while he and his wife were
working full time. He has been given a 9 month custodial sentence,
suspended for 2 years and ordered to complete 130 hours of
community service. The overpaid benefit will have to be re-paid to
the authorities.
Mr. James Carrington, a City of London Corporation housing
tenant since 1988, claimed Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension
Credit and Council Tax Benefit to which he was not entitled between
August 2000 and April 2007.
The City of London Corporation prosecuted Mr. Carrington working
with the London Borough of Islington and the Department for Work
& Pensions.
Tony Dowden, Chief Internal Auditor, at the City of London
Corporation commented that benefit fraud is not a victimless crime,
as it diverts vital resources from other needs within the
community.
He said: “People who commit benefit fraud should realise that
they will be caught, and when they are will have to re-pay the
money they fraudulently obtained. They are also likely to end up
with a hefty fine, have their assets seized, and, if prosecuted,
will end up with a criminal record, and could even go to
prison.”
“The City Corporation uses all available resources to detect
fraud, and has dedicated staff within its Internal Audit Section
constantly working on tackling fraud, we take these matters very
seriously and will seek to take appropriate action against
perpetrators of these offences."
Ends
Notes for editors
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse
organisation. It supports and promotes the City as the world leader
in international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
Press contact
Susanna Howard
Press Officer
City of London Corporation
Susanna.howard@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Tel: 020 7332 3450