Crossword Genius

Cleaner who expects money without working (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sponger

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'cleaner who expects money without working' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'cleaner who' is the wordplay.
'cleaner' becomes 'sponge'.
'who' becomes 'r' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'sponge'+'r'='SPONGER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sponger that I've seen before include "Parasite" , "One always expects others to pay" , "Person who lives at another's expense" , "One living at others' expense" , "Leech" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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