The Namur Criminal Court has fined a defendant 4,800 euros and given them a 3-year suspended sentence for fraudulently receiving over 33,491 euros in unemployment benefits. The defendant failed to report their partner to Belgium while on a long-term vacation in Tenerife, resulting in fraudulent activity for a period of 5 years. They have agreed to pay back the money to ONEM in installments of 100 euros per month. The Labor Auditor confirmed that the defendant has been residing in Tenerife since 2017 and rarely returns to Belgium. The defendant’s lawyer requested a work sentence of no more than 100 hours, given the cost of travel. The lawyer also asked for leniency in the sentence imposed.
The Namur Criminal Court on Wednesday imposed a fine of 4,800 euros accompanied by a 3-year suspended sentence 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”, specified the counsel for the defendant at the hearing.
For the Labor Auditor, it is clear that the defendant has left Belgium since at least 2017. “She has not had a vehicle listed in Belgium since 2012. The majority of her expenses are made in Tenerife. She rarely returns to Belgium, to visit her parents in Profondeville or, she says, to attend 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, it is clear that fraudulently receiving unemployment benefits can have serious consequences. The defendant in this case has been fined and given a suspended sentence, and will also have to repay the amount of benefits she received. It is important for individuals to report any changes in their circumstances that may affect their eligibility for benefits. Let this serve as a reminder to all that dishonesty does not pay, and that the consequences of fraudulent behavior can be severe.