A mother fiddled more than £20,000 in handouts while working in her local council's benefits department. Edyta Ratecka, 41, of Bir...
A mother fiddled more than £20,000 in handouts while working in her local council's benefits department.
Edyta Ratecka, 41, of Birchgrove, Cardiff, lied that she was a single mother before being caught out by Facebook pictures showing she lived with her boyfriend.
A judge told Ratecka she 'knew what she was doing' because she worked in the benefits department of Cardiff Council.
Polish-born Ratecka claimed benefits while living with boyfriend Daniel Thomas and her daughter - before later giving birth to his twins in 2013.
Facebook pictures showed the family celebrating holidays and Christmas together.
Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said: 'Information came to light she was living with her partner and an investigation was launched into her benefit claim.
'Evidence was obtained her partner Daniel Thomas was in full-time employment and was living with her while she was claiming benefit.
'She was invited to an interview with investigators under caution. She said she didn't live with Mr Taylor but he stayed sometimes to help with the children.
'She was presented with all the evidence in the interview but could offer no reasonable explanation why she did not notify the council and HMRC about a change in her circumstances.'
Cardiff Crown Court heard she claimed a total of £20,492 between 2013 and 2016.
Ratecka pleaded guilty to fraudulent activity, making a false representation to obtain benefits, and of dishonesty failing to notify a change in circumstances.
She was handed a 24-week suspended sentence.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said: 'You were working for a benefit section of Cardiff council so you were aware of what you were doing.'
Ratecka was also ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work, complete a six-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and to pay £300.
To bad they dont do what the cops do when they investigate themselves. Two weeks suspension with pay.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if the same fanatical attention to the law would be applied to those in power and wealth.
ReplyDeleteI knew they had to show a white lady when 90% of the parasite abusers are non whites
ReplyDeleteSka nk....
ReplyDeletehttps://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ced8c3880306bcc71c9d2db10e821323d392fa37e9ab0ff43ebcf17a674c37c5.jpg