News Article
29 March 2010
Government IT expert jailed for fraud
Immediate release – Monday 29th March 2010
An IT specialist who defrauded nearly £57,000 of public money when he worked at the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) was sentenced to one year in prison (Teesside Crown Court, Friday 26th March). He was also ordered to repay £25,000 to the Department of Health (DH) and costs were awarded against him. This concludes an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service.
Neil Harker-Bell, a full time civil servant, earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of Fraud by Abuse of Position under Section Four of the Fraud Act 2006. Harker-Bell had worked in the financial accounting section at NHS PASA. In 2008 he manipulated the accounting system to make payments totaling £56,960.48 into a bank account he controlled.
Harker-Bell was dismissed from his post as a result of the investigation.
Dermid McCausland, Managing Director of the NHS Counter Fraud Service, said:
“This outcome is a reminder that fraud is sometimes committed by people in positions of considerable trust. The NHS Counter Fraud Service will thoroughly investigate all suspicions of fraud. Wherever appropriate, we will press for prosecution and the strongest sanctions.”
-ENDS-
For more information contact James Robertson or Daryl Barrett at the NHS CFS press office on 020 7895 4524 /4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CFS at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/CounterFraud.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. The NHS Counter Fraud Service (NHS CFS) - a service of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was established to tackle fraud and corruption throughout the NHS and Department of Health whether it involves professionals, staff, patients or contractors. It aims to create a lasting anti-fraud culture.
2. Around 300 professionally-trained and accredited Local Counter Fraud Specialists are in place covering every health body in England and Wales.
3.The NHS CFS has a network of teams who deal with complex, high value and cross boundary NHS frauds. The potential NHS savings from completed NHS CFS investigations for 2008-09 is £9,946,030
4. In 2008-09 the NHS CFS successfully prosecuted 69 criminal cases with a 96% success rate.
5. To report any incident of suspected fraud in the NHS, please call the Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line on 0800 028 40 60.