Maldon district: Council vows to come down hard on benefit cheats (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Maldon district: Council vows to come down hard on benefit cheats

2:00pm Sunday 29th April 2012 in North Essex

THE district council has vowed to continue to take action against benefit cheats after three people appeared in court for conning the taxpayer out of thousands of pounds.

All three, who together claimed more than £30,000 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week.

Peter Elliott, chairman of Maldon District Council’s finance and corporate services committee, said: “The council will take action against anyone it believes has defrauded the public purse and claimed money to which they are not entitled.

“We encourage anyone who is entitled to claim benefit to do so, but will not tolerate those who abuse the system or mislead officers about their income."

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