not guilty of benefit fraud but they still want the money

teflon_pete

Me and my partner were accused by the LA and DWP as living together as a couple for over 4 years.

We denied this in an IUC, however we agreed that there was a much smaller period in which we had been living as a couple.

Anyway they didnt believe us and ended up sending us an invoice for over £30,000

They then sent us a summons to attend court, where it was quickly escalated to crown court.

Then the donkeys turned up in court and got their asses handed to them by our barrister, and they walked out limping and all charges of fraud were dropped and the judge ruled that the DWP and LA only had sufficient evidence to suggest we were living as a couple for about 5 months, so the overpayment is actually less than £2000 (after offsetting)

So WE WON!!!

BUT

they still want the full £30,000 off us, we're getting demands for it.

We've setup a payment plan to pay them £5 a week, to shut them up in the mean time, whilst we appeal to tribunal.

Surely if the judge in a crown court says they can only prove it for 5 months, they cant backbill for all of it? as they cant prove it.

HELP.

PLEASE DONT post about how I got away with fraud etc etc, I was proved not guilty, so that means no fraud took place. So all I;m asking for is info on how they can possibly have the front to ask for all that money back?!

dmg24

So you did commit fraud, just on a lesser scale to which they claimed? You should be so proud of yourself. :cool:

Criminal liability and civil liability are two different things - the criminal action has ceased, now they are pursuing you through civil channels.

teflon_pete

wow didnt you read the last line I posted? - I was found not guilty of fraud. There was an overpayment, but no fraud.

thorsoak

" LA only had sufficient evidence to suggest we were living as a couple for about 5 months, so the overpayment is actually less than £2000 (after offsetting)"

So, Teflon Pete - what is the purpose of your posting? Do you wish us to applaud you for having got away with fraud for five months? Or commiserate with you for having to pay back monies that you get from me (and all other taxpayers) for a proven period of five months and which probably lasted much longer?

I just hope your Teflon coating is thick enough!

dmg24

teflon_pete wrote: »

wow didnt you read the last line I posted? - I was found not guilty of fraud. There was an overpayment, but no fraud.

You have still committed fraud in the traditional sense of the word, you just have not been found guilty of fraud in the legal sense. You are still a benefit cheat.

teflon_pete

The purpose was that I was asking how they can still pursue you after court ruled in my favour.

The irony is that if they just let me pay the £2000 odd back, then I'd do it straight away, and go look for a job and get off benefits.

If they want the full £30,000 I'll be forced to stay on benefits forever so I can avoid paying anymore than £5 a week back, and they'll be paying my rent for me forever.

Crazy system.

dmg24

teflon_pete wrote: »

The purpose was that I was asking how they can still pursue you after court ruled in my favour.

The irony is that if they just let me pay the £2000 odd back, then I'd do it straight away, and go look for a job and get off benefits.

If they want the full £30,000 I'll be forced to stay on benefits forever so I can avoid paying anymore than £5 a week back, and they'll be paying my rent for me forever.

Crazy system.

Do you have no self respect?

teflon_pete

DMG you have no idea of the details of my case, and I dont choose to share them with you. But lets just say that the 5 months was down to a misunderstanding, hence no conviction for fraud.

The judge agreed they had proof of 5 months together, but ruled that no dishonesty had taken place on our part. hence no fraud.

Morgan_Ree

Bragging about getting away with fraud?
Calling yourself teflon?

I'll give you a 6/10 for effort.

dmg24

Morgan_Ree wrote: »

Bragging about getting away with fraud?
Calling yourself teflon?

I'll give you a 6/10 for effort.

But brightens up an otherwise dull Saturday night!

teflon_pete

that's always been my nickname - its been my gamertag on xbox live for 5 years!!