A benefits cheat has been ordered to pay £13,190.38 after admitting that he fraudulently claimed both Council Tax Support and a Council Tax discount for six years.
Antonio Noto, also known as Tony, of Templars Way, Sharnbrook, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Thursday (27 August).
This followed an investigation by Bedford Borough Council’s Investigation Service, following a tip-off that Noto and his partner had been operating a yoga/healing retreat and operating an Airbnb from their home.
Investigators found a website for the retreat which listed Noto and his partner as the hosts of the retreat. They also uncovered numerous documents linking the couple as living together at the property from Companies House, the DWP, financial institutions, school admissions records, and publicly available websites and social media entries relating to how the couple had built and created their retreat.
When interviewed by investigators, Noto denied that he had ever lived with anyone else at this property.
He also told investigators that, if he had committed fraud, they should inform the police and let them deal with it as would not be questioned about it by council officers.
When the Council moved forward with the investigation, Noto twice failed to turn up to court hearings, and warrants had to be issued for him. He finally offered a guilty plea days before the trial was due to begin, and the matter was adjourned to 27 August for sentencing.
The Judge found that money was the root cause for Noto’s offending. She ordered that he receive a three-year conditional discharge (the longest period allowed), with £5,860.38 compensation to be paid within six months, plus £7,330 in costs.
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said; “Council Tax fraud is not a victimless crime; it diverts vital funding away from residents who need it most and places an unfair burden on honest taxpayers.
“We will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone who dishonestly claims support they are not entitled to.
“When prosecuting these matters the Council not only seeks to recover the money stolen but also have the offender pay for the costs of the investigation and legal action taken against them.”
If you know anyone committing Council Tax Fraud or any other abuse/fraud of council services please contact the Investigation Service, in confidence, using our online reporting form at https://reportafraud.co.uk/bedfordbc.
For more information about Council Tax Fraud please visit https://www.bedford.gov.uk/your-council/about-council/reporting-fraud-bedford-borough.