Public Sector

Dawn Lyons faced a jail term or heavy fine after she admitted a charge under the Misuse of Computers Act during her role as a DWP team leader in Blackpool.

But Blackpool Magistrates went outside their sentencing guidelines when dealing with the 52-year-old, of Bowness Avenue, Thornton, who had worked for the DWP in the resort for 30 years.

The government is confident that a unit set up twelve months ago to curb fraud in the public sector will be shown to have delivered major savings.

This week marks one year since the government launched the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) – a new unit focused on helping departments across Whitehall fight fraud and error, as well as improving the public sector's anti-fraud knowledge.

The leader of Ashfield District Council, charged with multiple offences including fraud and drug possession, will apply to face trial outside of the county.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, 42, has previously denied 22 offences after he was arrested in November 2022 along with five other councillors from his party, the Ashfield Independents, as part of investigations into alleged fraud.

Millions of pounds were handed to people in cost of living payments but many were not eligible for the cash either due to errors or because of fraud.

Scores of people may be forced to pay their cost of living payments back to the Government.

It has been revealed that millions of pounds have been handed out to people who were not entitled to the money. This has happened due to errors or because of fraud.

Sophia Kudzai Chifamba left hospitals understaffed with her “premeditated” and “systematic” course of conduct, submitting at least 50 fraudulent timesheets between July 2018 and September 2019 while she was a trainee nurse.

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/dishonest-leeds-nurse-convicted-fraud-101705549.html

Five addresses in West Yorkshire were raided in an operation involving almost 40 officers yesterday morning.

The group were arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering offences as part of a national operation investigating fraud committed against over 100 local authorities giving out Covid business grants.

Finance manager Stephen Bower told the council’s audit and standards committee that sophisticated online ‘phishing’ attempts and scams targeting the council are part of a national picture of criminal gang activity.

Some frauds involve attempting to get a payout on fake bank mandates. “Luckily, we haven’t had any cases as a result of that,” said Mr Bower.

A fraudster who used false prescriptions to get £40,000 worth of drugs has been jailed.

Liam Brickley, 49, was able to obtain oxycodone and diazepam from pharmacies across Luton and Dunstable in Bedfordshire over a two-year period, by using 92 false prescriptions in four different alias names.

A Nottinghamshire council leader has pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including fraud, money laundering and possession of cocaine.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), who leads Ashfield District Council, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday (July 21).

The UK government is aiming to save £1.3 billion a year by tackling public sector fraud. Niall Hearty of financial crime specialists Rahman Ravelli assesses the chances of the target being met.

In a bold announcement, the UK government has set itself the target of saving £1.3 billion in this financial year by tackling public sector fraud.