Sanctions and Redress
10.1 Where financial impropriety is discovered, whether perpetrated by officers, Members or organisations (e.g. suppliers, contractors, and service providers) the Council deal with, the presumption is that the Police will be called in. The Crown Prosecution Service determines whether or not a prosecution will be pursued. Referral to the Police is a matter for the Chief Executive, the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Audit and Risk.
10.2 Referral to the Police will not inhibit action under the Council's Conduct Policy. Serious cases of fraud or corruption would represent gross misconduct and consequently the officer may be liable to dismissal.
10. 3 The Chief Executive and the Monitoring Officer will advise on the course of action to be taken in relation to Members.
10.4 Suspected financial impropriety by any organisation the Council deals with will be the subject of an investigation. If proven, this could result, for example, in the termination of an individual contract and may result in prosecution.
10.5 In proven cases of financial loss, the Council will seek to recover all such losses through whatever means it considers appropriate. If the fraudster is an employee, the loss may be recovered from any monies due to the individual on the termination of employment. In the event of the fraudster being a member of the Lancashire County Pension Fund, the Council may be able to recover the loss from the employee's accrued benefits in the Scheme.
10.6 In the event of the Council receiving a request for a reference in respect of an employee who has been dismissed as a result of a fraud/irregularity investigation, the Director of Change and Delivery should be contacted for guidance regarding the wording of any reference provided.