Mom taught her 2 kids to fake retardation....

[Marilyn. 340]

Mother admits coaching children to collect more than $280,000 in benefits.

TACOMA, Wash. - A woman admitted Monday that she coached her two children to fake retardation starting when they were 4 and 8 years old so she could collect Social Security benefits on their behalf.

Rosie Costello, 46, admitted in U.S. District Court that she collected more than $280,000 in benefits, beginning in the mid-1980s. Most was from Social Security, but the state social services agency paid $53,000.

Costello pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the government and Social Security fraud. Her son, Pete, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month. Federal prosecutors in Seattle said Monday authorities had not yet located her daughter, Marie.

According to the plea agreement, Costello began coaching her daughter at age 4, and later used the same ruse with her son. He feigned retardation into his mid-20s — picking at his face, slouching and appearing uncommunicative in meetings with Social Security officials.

Social Security workers became suspicious and uncovered a video of Pete Costello ably contesting a traffic ticket in a Vancouver courtroom.

Pete Costello is scheduled to be sentenced May 11 and faces from six months to a year in prison, as well as $59,000 in restitution.

Rosie Costello is scheduled for sentencing May 17. Her standard sentencing range was not immediately available, but in the plea agreement she agreed to repay the government.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17360272/?GT1=9145

[Nessa 23]

unbelievable, some people shouldn't breed

[bucknekkid 0]

I think this is a testament to our inept Social Service folks...

[Mirorgate 0]

I think this is a testament to our inept Social Service folks...

Regardless of hoe inept it may be.. this just shows to the length ppl will go to get around a system.

[SoL. 0]

Amazing, but there's a lot of people out there faking disabilities to collect SS. Just awful.

[Mary Lou 682]

Shameful indeed.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Worst part what she's teaching the kids, not even the defrauding...sad. M.

[Marc and Olga 0]

This makes me think of all the insurance fraud out there, I recall a few years back seeing a program where they videotaped a man who supposedly could not work due to a back injury at work...helping his friend (or family member) move...furniture!

[Heracles 417]

Anyone seen any photos of these scumbags..

What makes me mad about this is that people who deserve the assistance miss out because of these scumbags..

[tom&tata 2]

Worst part what she's teaching the kids, not even the defrauding...sad. M.

Even worse is that it is a sure bet there are other parents like this person out there. People with real needs for assistance are not getting it or getting not enough because of abuser.

[Bobbie 1]

How pathetic to fake retardation so you are able to get the least amount of money possible to live on. People call these people lazy, but dang that is a lot of work for very little money. My motto, I sell out for 7 million dollars and an island, nothing less (totally tounge in cheek)

[Emancipation 2]

OH dear... I'm always shocked at people who come UP with this stuff.. I would never THINK to...

Some things just don't make sense !

[Niels Bohr 72]

Hmm....Does this stuff only happen in America?

[KarenCee 3]

Hmm....Does this stuff only happen in America?

It seems so.

[Amby 490]

my husbands mother who still lives in the UK (thank god) lies to her psychologist and her doctor and then wondered why they took her off benefits when she "bent the truth" about things. told them she enjoys gardening, taking walks, that she doesn't drink etc....#######? she doesn't have a garden and has 2 house plants that are practically dead and she is terrified to leave the house. she does however drink so much that she'd rather spend her money on booze than food. I've tried to help her and so has my husband and she doesn't want it. She lives in our flat in Newcastle for free since we're not there anymore and we're running out of the patience to even try and help her.