The father of EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa has been jailed for four years for stealing half a million pounds' worth of taxpayers' money.
John Jossa, who was head of finance at Enfield Council, pleaded guilty to three offenses of dishonesty or tampering with expenses, according to the Daily Mail.
Over a four-year period he transferred £491,088.35 into his own account, of which £42,000 was given to his wife - whom he pretended also worked for the council.
Judge Nicholas Cooke said at the Old Bailey that the 58-year-old had "embarrassed the vast majority of hard working...government employees" with "criminally distorted thinking".
He continued: "In addition to being fully dishonest, he's a fool... Your offending will have real consequences to local residents in terms of reduced services or a decline in payments for those that live in the area."
Only £25,000 of his loot was recovered when Enfield Council launched legal action, because he had already lost the vast majority to scams.
Jacqueline, who plays Lauren Branning on the soap, was reportedly in tears as the verdict was delivered.
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