The Council’s Counter Fraud and Investigation Team has secured another significant conviction, bringing a fraudster to justice for forgery linked to a European-funded housing project.
On 19 December 2024, Oliver Schneider, 49, of West Malling, Kent, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court to two years' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, following his guilty plea to five counts of forgery in February 2024. A further 17 fraud offences will lie on file. Schneider's co-defendant, Claire Price, was found not guilty after the council offered no evidence against her.
The case stems from Schneider's involvement in the 'Really Smart House Project', a partnership between Southend-on-Sea City Council, South Essex Homes, and The Facility Architects, a company Schneider co-directed. The project, partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aimed to retrofit housing stock with advanced environmental features on a not-for-profit basis.
Concerns arose in 2013 when inconsistencies were identified in invoices, bank statements, and pay slips submitted by The Facility Architects for reimbursement of project costs. An initial inquiry escalated into a full investigation led by the council's Counter Fraud and Investigation Team in 2019.
Investigators uncovered that Schneider had altered or forged documents, resulting in The Facility Architects claiming over £110,000 more than was legitimately spent. These actions forced the council to return over £360,000 in grant funds to the ERDF.
Schneider's sentence did not include any conditions, such as rehabilitation activity requirements, and the council has begun proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to recover its losses.
Cllr Paul Collins, cabinet member for finance, assets and investments, said: "This case underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting public funds and holding those who commit fraud accountable. Thanks to the persistence of our Counter Fraud and Investigation Team, this deception has been uncovered, and steps are being taken to recover significant losses.
"The prosecution of this case suffered significant delays due to the pandemic and subsequent court backlogs, but we remained determined to see justice served. Fraud of this nature directly impacts our ability to deliver vital services. We will continue to take strong action to deter, detect, and prosecute fraud wherever it occurs."
Anyone with information about fraud or economic crime against Southend-on-Sea City Council can report it in confidence to the Counter Fraud and Investigation Team on 01702 215254 or email: CounterFraud@southend.gov.uk.
All information provided is treated in the strictest confidence, and reports can be made anonymously.