SevenSeasJim Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Mother coached children to fake retardationTACOMA, Washington (AP) -- 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainsunshine Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Crazy what money will make people do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 now, why didnt I think of this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeasJim Posted February 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 now, why didnt I think of this? Because you aren't mesmerized by "that" rock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouche Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Cartman got his mother to help him fake retardation so that he could join the special olymics and kick everyone's ass.Registration Clerk: "And what specific condition does little Eric have?"Eric's mom: "He's retarded" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cully Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 That makes me sick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 The mother should be sentenced to working with handicapped children, at a reasonable hourly wage, with all of her hours/wages going to paying back the money she defrauded.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 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.Now THAT is carny. Well done Mr. Costello. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Zimmy Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 The mother should be sentenced to working with handicapped children, at a reasonable hourly wage, with all of her hours/wages going to paying back the money she defrauded.Aloha, Brad You should be a judge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Wouldn't it be a bit cruel to the special-needs children to assign a completely amoral person to work with them, though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Wouldn't it be a bit cruel to the special-needs children to assign a completely amoral person to work with them, though?You're right, in that the tasks that would be assigned to her would have to be those she can do effectively, and those which would actually benefit the kids. At the very least, slinging a mop and cleaning up after the kids would be appropriate, I think.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoneMtn Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Now I'm with ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 I'm resentful. I've acted retarded for years and nobody's ever given me any money for it. But then, I guess I'm just lucky that bradm hasn't passed sentence yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 An even better sentence would be to have her (and her kids) help (again, at a reasonable hourly wage) the parents of disabled kids, with cleaning, driving, etc., to teach her how hard it really is for those parents, and what the money she stole is really intended to help with.I'm resentful. I've acted retarded for years and nobody's ever given me any money for it. How much in the way of door money for HM and THB shows has ended up in your pocket? (And note that going towards your bar tab counts as going into your pocket.)Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 How much in the way of door money for HM and THB shows has ended up in your pocket? (And note that going towards your bar tab counts as going into your pocket.)You really are a hangin' judge, aren'tcha. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky that at least neither band has had the Good Ole' Boys end up chasing us down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timouse Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 I'm resentful. I've acted retarded for years and nobody's ever given me any money for it. But then, I guess I'm just lucky that bradm hasn't passed sentence yet.you're just not doing it in front of the right people. we could join "special ed and the musically challenged" and really clean up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 you're just not doing it in front of the right people. we could join "special ed and the musically challenged" and really clean up.Istr a show you and I played at Waterloo Park for just such a crowd some 20 years back. Maybe we missed our calling. Irony evaporates. Those are in fact the kind of gigs that really mean something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanada Kev Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Sick. There was a case similar to this that I read about last year. Some guy (in the UK i think) who was in his 30s or 40s had been faking his own mental retardation and hired home nurses to look after him (on the state's money). He would have them change his diapers (which he didn't need to wear) and while doing so, he'd fondle their breasts!! It took years before they caught on to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\/\/illy Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 I'm resentful. I've acted retarded for years and nobody's ever given me any money for it.I bought you a beer for that very reason. I feel betrayed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\/\/illy Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 now, why didnt I think of this? I figured your parents already did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jambosam9 Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 that's really unbelievable! you think he'd cover his tracks better by NOT contesting a TRAFFIC TICKET... especially if he'd been cheating the gov't out of so much money! people are CRAZY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 that's really unbelievable! you think he'd cover his tracks better by NOT contesting a TRAFFIC TICKET... especially if he'd been cheating the gov't out of so much money! people are CRAZY.No, they're stupid, ignorant, arrogant, and/or careless.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Don't forget judgemental. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 (edited) now' date=' why didnt I think of this? [/quote']I figured your parents already did. ... sharks! ... with laser beams! Edited February 28, 2007 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\/\/illy Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 Don't forget judgemental. LMAO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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