A BUSINESSMAN has been jailed for nine months after defrauding the council out of nearly £14,000.
Mark Okodugha, of Queen Adelaide Court, Penge, was found guilty of 21 charges of fraud after illegally claiming housing and council tax benefits from Bromley Council.
The 37-year-old failed to declare he had two properties and had earned £350,000 during the four-year period.
He had pleaded not guilty.
Okodugha was also given a compensation order of £12,489 to cover the housing benefit overpayment, which must be paid to Bromley Council within 12 months.
He must also pay £750 costs.
Council leader Councillor Stephen Carr said: "The severity of this sentence and our determination to pursue fraudsters as part of the council's zero tolerance on fraud will, we hope, act as a deterrent."
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