An illegal immigrant has been discovered working at Essex County Council.
The worker was uncovered as part of a widespread anti-fraud and corruption strategy.
The county has been carrying out five major fraud investigations in just over a year, a report to county councillors has shown.
It has dealt with allegations of corruption and mismanagement, plus 120 other fraud cases.
It is currently investigating extensive travel and subsistence claims by a person in the children and families service, a company formed by a school without approval that may be using funds illegally, and payments made to staff at an Essex secondary school.
A spokesman for the council said: "Essex County Council has traditionally suffered a low incidence of known fraud and corruption, due in part to a historically sound system of financial management and governance arrangements.
"There is evidence, however, at a national level the volume of fraud is increasing."
Published Friday July 30, 2004
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