$17,000 fraud admitted
PA Wellington A Porirua woman who cheated the Social Welfare Department of $17,575 may have to pay it ali back. In the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington Makerita Koleta Lam Sam. aged 31, a factory worker, pleaded guilty to six charges of fraud. Mr W. M. Willis, S.M., convicted and remanded her to December 11 for a probation report. Sergeant M. A. Kelly said Lam Sam’s first husband died in March, 1973. The same month she applied for a window’s benefit and a supplementary assistance benefit granted in cases of hardship. In August, 1975, Lam Sam remarried but did not inform the department, and continued to get both benefits.
Between March, 1976, and January, 1979, she filled out four applications for the renewal ef her widow’s benefit and the supplementary benefit.
As a result of this she rec ..ved $17,575. Full restitution was sought, Sergent Kelly said. When the police spoke to Lam Sam in October she admitted the frauds but had no explanation for not informing the department.
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Press, 6 December 1979, Page 10
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171$17,000 fraud admitted Press, 6 December 1979, Page 10
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