The Hague council suspects a former worker of defrauding poor citizens.

She allegedly referred people in serious financial difficulties to a debt restructuring agency which embezzled their payments. A council spokesperson has confirmed a report published in national newspaper AD.

The former councilworker is accused of referring at least 10 citizens who applied for debt restructuring assistance to a one-man business called Schuldenvrij Dienstverlening (Debt-Free Financial Service).

The victims signed a contract under the terms of which their earnings were paid directly into the company’s bank account. Instead of using the money to pay off their clients debts, the owner embezzled the money.

The city council has filed charges against both its former employee and the debt restructuring agency. It is not yet clear how much money was embezzled, but the city council suspects tens of thousands of euros were stolen.

(gsh)

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