Guilty pleas in welfare fraud

A Moncton couple has admitted to welfare fraud involving thousands of provincial dollars over a 12 year period, according to the Times and Transcript.

Brenda Ayles and Gordon Ayles, both in their 50s, admitted to claiming social assistance from 2003 to 2014…a total of almost $15,000. It wasn’t to pay for a lavish lifestyle. They told court they did it to support their family. One of their children developed multiple sclerosis.

The judge accepted a joint recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers for Gordon Ayles to serve 90 days in jail on weekends because he was the one working and not declaring the income. He and his wife will also serve six months of house arrest then probation and will payback over $8,100.