Natalie Brennan, aged 41, is facing the possibility of internment after she pleaded guilty to wrongful disclosure of confidential information to her landlord.
Ms Brennan used her position as an administrative officer at HMRC's Unicentre in Preston city centre, to obtain information about a tax credits claim made by Mary Houghton (an ex-partner of Timothy Lee – Brennan’s landlord), and another man who was in a relationship with Mrs Houghton at the time.
After 13 years of apparently unblemished service to HMRC, Ms Brennan was dismissed and warned that she could go to prison because of her actions.
Initially, Timothy Lee had approached Brennan for advice in respect of a benefits claim made by Mrs Houghton and the unnamed man. Brennan told her superiors that she told Mr Lee to contact the official tax helpline but it was discovered that she also accessed Revenue computer systems to check confidential information relating to the couple.
According to the prosecution Brennan aided Lee in gathering information that the landlord could use to “make life difficult” for Houghton and her partner. Mr Lee was seeking to ascertain whether the two were making separate claims so that he could blow the whistle to HMRC.
Following her arrest, Ms Brennan was charged with wrongful disclosure. After initially denying the charge she changed this to plead guilty on the day she was to stand trial.
The case will re-adjourn on 31st May when Brennan will return to face sentence.
According to reports a HMRC spokesman said, “HMRC expects the highest standards of behaviour from its staff and we will vigorously pursue anyone who abuses the trust that we have placed in them.”
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