Two guilty of benefit fraud

Two people who received benefit payments to which they were not entitled - one more than $40,000 - were convicted on fraud charges in Masterton District Court yesterday.

Samantha Ashlie Jo-Anne Matiaha, 22, of Masterton, appeared on six charges of falsely using a document.

Prosecuting for the Ministry of Social Development, Aroha Reihana said Matiaha had changed from the Emergency Maintenance Allowance to the Domestic Purposes Benefit on January 29, 2007.

Up until May 25, Matiaha had stated she was single on numerous Work and Income review forms, but information received revealed she was living in a de facto marriage.

Matiaha said she did not advise them of her real living arrangements because she needed the money and did not feel completely secure in the relationship.

Ms Reihana said Matiaha was overpaid a total of $40,452.23.

Lawyer Peter Stevens entered guilty pleas on Matiaha's behalf and said she regretted her involvement.

Judge Thomas Broadmore convicted Matiaha and remanded her to April 29 for sentencing.

In an unrelated case, Masterton's Simon James Harper, 50 pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining by deception.

Ms Reihana said Harper changed from the caregiver's Domestic Purpose Benefit to the Unemployment Benefit in April 2010. When it was due to be renewed, Harper said he was single and the benefit resumed until November 2011.

It was found out Harper had been living with his partner since April 2010, and when he was interviewed about the matter he said it may have appeared they were a couple but weren't.

He received an overpayment of $2523.58.

Lawyer Ian Hard said Harper had lost a large part of his income when he changed benefits and was "struggling".

"He's an essentially honest person," he said. "This is just a situation which crept up on him."

Mr Hard entered a guilty plea on Harper's behalf.

Judge Broadmore convicted Harper and sentenced him to 60 hours community work. He was to repay the money at a rate of $10 per week.