Another housing benefit fraud gets a light sentence

A man who illegally claimed more than £2,000 in benefits in Radlett was ordered to pay the money back at Watford Magistrates Court on Friday.

Giovanni Finco claimed £86-a-week in housing benefit between September 2008 and April 2009 for a flat on Craigweil Avenue. However, he only lived there for two weeks and, in failing to notify Hertsmere Borough Council when he moved, Finco, 41, was able to claim a total of £2,408 for the Radlett flat.

Finco, now living in Harpenden, was given a conditional discharge after reversing a not guilty plea meaning he could be re-sentenced if he commits a crime in the next 12 months.

He was ordered to repay the money in £50 monthly instalments as well as £150 costs to the prosecution.

Councillor John Graham said:

This is Hertsmere’s seventh successful prosecution for benefit fraud following investigations by the council’s Anti-Fraud Team since April 2009.

We hope this sends out a clear message that Hertsmere has zero tolerance for benefit fraud and we will continue to use all our powers to recover money from those who try to cheat the system.

Would that this also applied to Watford Magistrates.