Wolverhampton councillor charged over alleged Covid-19 grant fraud
A councillor is set to appear in court after allegedly committing fraud to claim £10,000 from a Covid-19 grant scheme.
Wolverhampton councillor Harman Banger will appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court over two offences between March 11 and June 5.
The case was first heard by the Black Country Magistrates Court on December 22 where it was adjourned until January 11 next year.
Banger, of Bilston Road, is accused of committing fraud by dishonestly making a false representation, a court listing said.
It is alleged the 39-year-old, who faces two charges, did so to obtain a £10,000 grant under the Government's Covid-19 Small Business Scheme.
The court document alleges that "between 11/03/2020 and 05/06/2020 at Wolverhampton in the county of West Midlands, committed fraud in that you dishonestly made a false representation, namely obtain £10,000 pounds grant under the UK Government Covid-19 Small Business Scheme, intending to cause loss to Wolverhampton Council or to expose that person to a risk of loss, for yourself. Contrary to sections 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006."
Labour councillor Banger, who represents East Park on the city council, stood down from his role as the city's economy cabinet member after the allegations emerged in June this year.
He was arrested by West Midlands Police in June and was released pending a full probe. He has also been administratively suspended from the Labour group in the city pending the outcome of an internal party investigation.
Neena Kumari, 37 and also of Bilston Road, has also been charged with the two offences.
