Dozens lose jobs in council fraud inquiry

A FRAUD investigation by a local council has discovered dozens of employees trying to cheat it of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

At least 28 people have been investigated and 25 members of staff have resigned or been dismissed as a result of the investigation at Barking and Dagenham council in Essex.

The inquiry discovered workers were trying to defraud the local authority of at least £235,000. Among the allegations are money laundering, passport forgery, benefit fraud and deception.

Police are investigating after a worker submitted false papers to support a claim for early retirement which could have cost the council £200,000. The culprit resigned immediately but a colleague is facing a disciplinary hearing after being accused of helping in the fraud.

Another worker resigned after being found guilty of a £30,000 benefit fraud.

Among the more serious claims, an employee resigned while under a disciplinary investigation after being arrested on charges of money laundering.

The council discovered one employee in possession of a number of forged passports after their partner was convicted of identity fraud. They left while being investigated. The council is now trying to recover the lost cash.