Thursday, 02 September 2010

Lambeth to sue TMO chair

20/11/2009

Lambeth Council is to take legal action against the former chair of its tenant management organisation, who was convicted of benefit fraud last week.

Patricia Ann Hoad, 60, falsely claimed £40,000 in benefits while working as chair of United Residents Housing. But officers in the council’s fraud investigation team uncovered her bogus claims earlier this year and she was forced to step down.

Last week Ms Hoad received a 16-week suspended jail term from Inner London Crown Court and was ordered to pay back the money she had claimed. She had admitted 10 counts of benefit fraud at an earlier hearing.

The council is now planning to take legal action, in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions, to recover the money.

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