The Namur criminal court has given a 3-year suspension and fine of 4,800 euros to a defendant who fraudulently received 33,491 euros in unemployment benefits and will have to repay the full amount to Onem. The defendant was absent at the hearing but spoke of “long-term vacations” in Tenerife, where she met a man and stayed for 5 years without reporting it to Belgian authorities. The defendant’s counsel negotiated a payment plan of 100 euros/month, which has been ongoing for 3 months. According to the labor prosecutor, the defendant had not been in Belgium since 2017 and only visited occasionally. Counsel for the applicant suggested a work sentence of no more than 100 hours, but the distance required made it difficult. They also requested a lesser fine given the circumstances.
The Namur criminal court on Wednesday imposed a fine of 4,800 euros accompanied by a 3-year suspension for what exceeds 2,400 euros against a defendant who received 33,491 euros in unemployment benefits fraudulently. Amount that it will have to repay to Onem.
The defendant, absent at the February hearing, referred in her statements to “long-term vacations” in Tenerife. She met a man and made his life on this island, but “forgot” to report him in Belgium and fraudulently received 33,500 euros in unemployment benefits over a period of 5 years. Amount that it will have to repay to Onem. “A payment plan has been negotiated, she has planned to pay 100 euros per month and she is in the third month,” said counsel for the defendant at the hearing.
For the labor prosecutor, it is clear that the defendant has left Belgium since at least 2017. “She hasn’t had a vehicle listed in Belgium since 2012. The majority of her expenses are spent in Tenerife. She only rarely returns to Belgium, to visit her parents in Profondeville or, she says, to attend meetings. job interviews.”
Counsel for the applicant argued for a work sentence, if it does not exceed 100 hours. Otherwise, distance requires, it would be unable to perform given the cost of travel. The widest reprieve on the fine sentence was requested.
In conclusion, the Namur criminal court has shown that fraudulent behavior towards the welfare system will not be tolerated. The defendant in question has been ordered to repay 33,491 euros in unemployment benefits and has received a fine of 4,800 euros along with a 3-year suspension. This case highlights the consequences of actions that go against the law and serves as a reminder that the welfare system is in place to support those in genuine need. Justice has been served, and hopefully, this verdict will deter others from attempting similar fraudulent activities in the future.