Detectives investigating allegations of fraud at Brighton and Hove City Council Housing Department have today Wednesday (6 August) arrested four men on suspicion of misconduct in public office and corruption.
The investigation, launched by the Sussex Police Economic Crime Unit in November 2013 following an initial investigation by the Council’s own internal audit team, is looking into allegations of the improper awarding of Council contracts worth more than £18 million over the past ten years to a property management company providing the homeless with temporary accommodation.
At 7am today search warrants under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act were executed at five residential addresses. Officers were assisted by colleagues from Surrey Police.
DS Sally Smith said;
“The men have been taken to Brighton for interviews and further enquiries.”
Later the same morning a warrant was also executed at a business address in Queens Road, Brighton. No arrests were made.
At each address, including the Queens Road address, computers and related equipment, and documents, are being seized for examination.
