A BUSINESSMAN who falsely claimed £20,000 in benefits out of ‘sheer greed’, has narrowly escaped jail.
Alex Fiorillo had six houses and £65,000 in the bank while he claimed benefits between October 2008 and May 2010.
But company director Fiorillo, 46, of Raw Nook Road, Salendine Nook, failed to declare his assets to claim housing benefit, council tax benefit and employment and support allowance (ESA).
Yesterday Fiorillo, a director of a Huddersfield glazing company, was handed a 40-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Prosecutor Miles Barker told the court: “This is the worst case I’ve had to deal with.”
In an earlier hearing Mr Barker said the housing landlord and dad-of-two had claimed the money out of ‘sheer greed’.
Mr Barker said: “This money is meant for people who need it, not for the greedy and not for the fraudulent.
“We are in straightened financial circumstances and the money has to be found from somewhere else.”
Mitigating, Jonathan Slawinski said Fiorillo had suffered a severe stroke when the false claims began.
He said: “Mr Fiorillo had an extremely severe stroke.
“He couldn’t walk, read, write or speak. In fact, it left him totally debilitated.”
Mr Slawinski added his client had spent the money on his mortgages rather than luxuries.
He added Fiorillo, who had repaid more than £8,000, was ‘ashamed’ of his actions.
Sentencing Fiorillo, bench chairperson Jennifer Blackburn said: “We feel it is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.
“This was multiple offences planned over a significant period of time.
“If you commit another offence you can expect to serve the prison sentence.”
Fiorillo, who admitted four counts of benefit fraud, was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of supervised activity.
He was ordered to repay the remainder of the money plus £1,546 costs.
