Internal Audit Uncovers Five Cases Of Council Staff Fraud

It has been revealed that five members of Council staff have been involved in fraud.

In a report due to be presented to the Audit Committee on Thursday, a total of 12 members of staff have been investigated following allegations of fraud. The fraud and theft issues that have been notified to an Internal Audit took place between April and August of this year.

Five members of Council staff were alleged to be involved in benefit fraud, with four of the cases proven. The remaining alleged case of benefit fraud is still in progress.

Seven cases of ‘Other Fraud’ were also notified to an internal audit. One of the allegations was proven, while four are still ‘In Progress’. Two of the allegations were not proven to be true.

The report states: “Excluding benefit frauds, the proven fraud related to deliberate falsification of flexi time records and unauthorised use of Council vehicles. WIAS are currently assisting with one of the investigations still in progress.

“The Human Resources Manager has now reviewed the Council’s Disciplinary Policy and Procedures to strengthen the actions the Council can take against staff who commit benefit fraud.”

The report states that the following counter-fraud activities have been undertaken:

• Providing advice on counter fraud activities both directly to officers and indirectly via the counter fraud page on the Councils own intranet.
• Chairing and facilitating the Counter Fraud Group.
• Acting as the contact point for the National Fraud Initiative.

Between the period of 2011/2012 Wrexham Council dealt with 40 allegations of fraud and theft, with 18 of those allegations proven.

13 members of staff were accused of being involved in benefit fraud during 2011/12. Of those instances 11 were proven and one remains in progress.

27 council employees were accused of other types of theft and fraud with seven proven and 12 still in progress. You can read our report from last year here.

The full report is available to read on the Council website here.