A SINN Féin councillor at the centre of a housing benefits probe had failed to declare his property interests to the council.
The Irish News last week revealed west Belfast councillor Ciaran Beattie's living arrangements have been examined as part of the investigation.
It is understood Mr Beattie (38) had tenants at a property he owned in Belfast who received housing benefits to go towards rent.
But questions were raised when it was suggested the tenants receiving support were his long-term partner and their children.
A solicitor for Mr Beattie said the councillor strongly denies the "outrageous" allegations. Sinn Féin said it was unaware of any investigation.
The latest probe is believed to have been launched shortly after Mr Beattie and his partner broke up, and has focused on a house in the Beechmount area.
Mr Beattie owned the three-bedroom property since 2006, according to Land Registry. His ex-partner is on the electoral roll for the same address.
Recently the house was sold but the details have not yet been processed through the Land Registry.
Each year councillors are required to complete a declaration of interest form to outline their personal interests including land and property.
These declarations are aimed at promoting transparency, enabling ratepayers to ensure private interests do not influence public decisions.
But it has emerged that Mr Beattie had not submitted these details to the council, in breach of local government rules.
He had not submitted any information in both 2014 and 2015. The form for 2015 was supposed to have been completed in June last year.
The Irish News asked Sinn Féin why Mr Beattie had failed to file his declaration forms after viewing the absence of records at city hall.
Several hours later, the forms were then submitted to the council.
On Mr Beattie's declaration form for 2015 he does not list the Beechmount area property at the centre of the benefits probe.
He gives an address at Owenvarragh Park as his home. He finalised purchasing the property in November last year, according to the Land Registry.
Mr Beattie was co-opted onto Belfast City Council in 2013 and was returned to his seat in the 2014 local government elections.
When standing for election, Mr Beattie gave the Electoral Office an address at Mica Drive in west Belfast, which appears to be his childhood home.
Around half of Belfast's 60 councillors have not submitted their declaration of interest forms for 2015.
But Belfast City Council said it has no power to compel councillors to complete their declarations of interest, nor any powers to investigate councillors.
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints, also known as the Northern Ireland Ombudsman, is responsible for examining any alleged breaches of the councillor code of conduct.
A spokeswoman said no complaint has been made. She added that the ombudsman has no power to investigate anything unless there is a complaint.
