The former healthcare worker stole more than £200,000, with evidence to suggest a further £100,000 was being targeted.
42-year-old Edias Mazambani pleaded guilty of defrauding taxpayers at Southwark County Court. the sentence – three years and eight months – was handed down on Thursday 30th January.
Formerly employed in the finance team at Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, the ex-NHS staff member submitted a number of false refund requests for money held on account by the organisation. Between December 2016 and January 2019, 34 payments were illegally authorised, amounting to £218,306.84.
Of this, Mazambani received at least £78,123.93. One accomplice, 49-year-old George Maya, also received £23,623.92 for his part in the crime. He has now pleaded guilty to four counts of money laundering, and received a custodial sentence of three years and two months. Michelle Tengende, 40, who made £20,180.37, and Sinqobile Pasipandoya, 43, who took £106,288.87, were also convicted, and received sentences of 18 months and 12 month respectively, both suspended for two years.
More money could have been sold, but the NHSCFA blocked a further £84,492.67.
This story first appeared on SocialCareToday.
Image: 7500 RPM / Unsplash
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