Legal Aid Recipient Has Thousands in Cash

2009-07-05 02:35:20 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Law, News)

Wired PR News reports a man claiming to be in need of legal aid had a sizeable savings at the time.

A man who sought legal aid assistance reportedly had a sizeable savings at the time.

Press Release Service – Wired PR News – A man who claimed legal aid assistance reportedly had thousands available in savings at the time. As reported by the Edinburgh Evening News, Lawrence Howkins claimed 1,400 pounds in legal aid for representation in 2006 for domestic legal issues. The 47 year-old was later shown through an audit to have had 57,000 pounds combined in a savings plan and HBO current account.

Howkins was ordered Friday in Edinburgh Sheriff Court to complete 200 hours of community service, following his admission to fraud. He reportedly did not use the money in the large account because he wanted to maintain its earning level. He was chastised in court for accepting the public money, which the Sheriff stated could have gone to someone who actually needed legal assistance.

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