Former council employee ordered to repay £20,000 in compensation
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has supported the successful prosecution of a former housing officer for fraud under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Zara Danyaal, aged 38 of Acocks Green and a former senior housing needs officer for Â鶹ÊÓƵ, was today (28 March 2018) ordered to repay £20,000 in compensation to Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
Danyaal was previously sentenced on 24 June 2016, alongside her sister, Samara Malik, to 30 months in prison for one count relating to social housing fraud and a further six months, for two offences relating to job references.
Robert James, director of housing at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: “We welcome today’s hearing result which recognises the severity of the crime committed.
“The act of fraud prevented several families from being housed and since discovering these actions, Â鶹ÊÓƵ has been proactive from the start in pursuing and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The compensation now received will be reinvested by the Council to prevent further acts of fraud from being committed.
James continued: “Â鶹ÊÓƵ is committed to protecting the public funds it is entrusted with. It is imperative that losses from fraud and corruption are, where possible, eradicated to ensure that resources are used to provide essential services for citizens.
“Our counter fraud team uses sophisticated data analysis to detect fraud and anyone who commits, or attempts to commit, fraudulent or corrupt acts against the council will be held to account in a decisive manner.”