Part-time immigration Judges Kareena Maciel, 46, and Rasib Ghaffar,48, along with part-time Civil Judge Razi Shah are accused of making claims in EXCESS of £12m
Wednesday 18th July | by Cop(ex) | Connect with us on Twitter |
In a case that will shock our readers, a total of THREE judges and SIX other Lawyers who were arrested over an alleged plot to scam over £12.5 MILLION from the legal aid system, appeared in court yesterday (17th July).
Immigration Judges Kareena Maciel, 46, and Rasib Ghaffar, 48, along with another civil Judge Razi Shah are all accused of making claims of over £12.5 Million.
The others charged with this serious offence are legal clark Gazi Khan, 49, barrister Shahid Rashid 57 and solicitors Joseph Ameyaw-Kyeremeh, 67, Azhar Khan, 46, Lloud Moody, 48 and Samira Bashir, 46,
The lead prosecutor in the case, Joe Bird, told Westminster Magistrates Court:
“They are all linked together – different firms, different costs but there’s a common thread between them”.
On the Gov.UK website, it states that:
“Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.
“You’ll usually need to show that: your case is eligible for legal aid, the problem is serious and/or you can’t afford to pay for legal costs”.
£450 million was recently taken out of the Legal Aid budget in an effort to try and reduce the financial costs associated with the legal aid bill that is picked up by Taxpayers.
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Few people probably realise that there is a specific department that was set up in order to investigate alleged fraud by legal professionals who carry out legal aid work.
On the Gov.UK website, it states:
“The Counter Fraud team are responsible for investigating allegations of fraud by solicitors, barristers and third party experts carrying out legal aid work.
“LAA Counter Fraud works closely with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board in the delivery of their role.
“To report suspected fraudulent activity you should e-mail the Counter Fraud Team allegations@legalaid.gsi.gov.uk.”
During Court proceedings in this particular case, Prosecutor Bird explained to the Court that:
“The claims were for work not done or grossly inflated.
“they suggested the work had taken far longer than it did.
“It all came to light after the claims were queried.
Maciel and Ghaffar, both of South Woodford, Shah, of Windsor, Berkshire, and Ameyaw-Kyeremeh, of Croydon, all deny one count of conspiracy to commit an offence of fraud by false representation.
Gazi Khan, of Isleworth, west London, Rashid, of Langley, Berkshire, also denies three counts of the same charge
Azhar Khan, of Pinner, Middlesex, denies one count of fraud by false representation and one count of conspiracy to commit an offence of fraud by false representation.
Moody, of Surbiton, Surrey, denies two counts of fraud by false representation.
Bashir, of Slough, faces one count of fraud by false representation and is due to appear in court later today.
All eight have beenn bailed and will appear at Southwark crown court for a plea, trial preparation hearing on 14 August.
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