##########################################################################
# If Goanet stops reaching you, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]          #   
# Want to check the archives? http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/    #  
# Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others  #
##########################################################################

For full story and pics click on link below:


http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004472319,00.html



Flats for cash scandal



Wad ... De'Souza with rent money




 FULL NEWS INDEX




By HARRY MACADAM
AN OFFICIAL who helps give council homes to asylum seekers is secretly
offering to rent flats to illegal immigrants for cash, The Sun can reveal.

Crooked Aggie De'Souza, 65, drew up a tenancy agreement using a bogus name
for The Sun's undercover reporter.

He then offered advice on how to dodge immigration officials.


Secret meeting ... our man with De'Souza


Portuguese-born De'Souza, who earns around £20,000 a year, runs his scam
from council offices in Sutton, Surrey.

Last week he offered a flat to the Sun investigator - who posed as a
Bulgarian illegal immigrant looking for accommodation.

Our man, who jumped a queue of locals with housing problems, was handed a
dingy one-bed flat for an up-front cash payment of £1,390.

He was told the rent would be £695 a month. All bills would be paid by De'
Souza. The official said: "I'll pay the council tax. Any bills you bring to
me in my office."


Here's the key ... The Sutton home is ours


De'Souza, who works as an assessment officer for Sutton Council's asylum
seeker support service, warned that Home Office officials frequently checked
for illegals in the town.

He added: "They're very hot in Sutton. No flat is safe but nobody will kick
you out.

"They always come at nine at night or in the early morning. I can come
quickly and get you out."

He then gave our reporter a tour of the flat in a quiet street minutes from
the town centre.


Bogus letting ... the flat in Sutton


He was told: "For the time being we only take cash. I can't give you a
contract because I work for the Home Office and you're illegal here."

De'Souza told our man to sign an asylum seeker's tenancy agreement using the
false name of Bledar Gashi. He then handed over the keys.

Our dossier of evidence will be offered to Lib Dem-run Sutton Council.

A spokesman said: "The member of staff in question has been suspended and we
have started a full investigation."

Police have also been informed.



Reply via email to