Yoga retreat owner ordered to pay more than £13,000 over six-year council tax fraud
Antonio Noto ran a retreat and an Airbnb from his home while dishonestly claiming support
A man who ran a yoga and healing retreat from his home has been ordered to pay more than £13,000 after admitting a six-year council tax fraud.
Antonio Noto, also known as Tony, of Templars Way in Sharnbrook, fraudulently claimed both Council Tax Support and a Council Tax discount over six years.
He was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Thursday 27th August.
How the fraud was uncovered
The case followed an investigation by Bedford Borough Council's Investigation Service, prompted by a tip-off that Noto and his partner had been running a yoga and healing retreat and an Airbnb from their home.
Investigators found a website for the retreat which listed Noto and his partner as its hosts.
They also uncovered documents linking the couple as living together at the property, from Companies House, the DWP, financial institutions, school admissions records, and publicly available websites and social media entries relating to how they had built and created their retreat.
When interviewed, Noto denied that he had ever lived with anyone else at the property.
He also told investigators that, if he had committed fraud, they should inform the police and let them deal with it, as he would not be questioned about it by council officers.
Missed hearings and a late guilty plea
When the council moved forward with the investigation, Noto twice failed to turn up to court hearings, and warrants had to be issued for him.
He finally offered a guilty plea days before the trial was due to begin, and the matter was adjourned to 27th August for sentencing.
Sentencing
The judge found that money was the root cause of Noto's offending.
She ordered that he receive a three-year conditional discharge, the longest period allowed, with £5,860.38 compensation to be paid within six months, plus £7,330 in costs.
A Bedford Borough Council spokesperson said: "Council Tax fraud is not a victimless crime; it diverts vital funding away from residents who need it most and places an unfair burden on honest taxpayers.
"We will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute anyone who dishonestly claims support they are not entitled to.
"When prosecuting these matters the Council not only seeks to recover the money stolen but also have the offender pay for the costs of the investigation and legal action taken against them."
Anyone with information about council tax fraud, or any other abuse or fraud of council services, can contact the Investigation Service in confidence through the council's online reporting form.