My Mum Was Never This Crafty

AutoPilate · Post by **AutoPilate** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:06 am

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

Rosie Costello, 46, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to defraud the government as well as Social Security fraud. Her son, Pete Costello, 26, pleaded guilty earlier this month, but the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle said Monday that authorities had not 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 continued to feign retardation into his mid-20s — picking at his face, slouching and appearing uncommunicative in meetings with Social Security officials.

The scheme came to light last year after Pete Costello got a traffic ticket while driving away from the administration's Vancouver office, then was videotaped acting normally when he contested the ticket in court.

Rosie Costello admitted that she collected more than $280,000 in benefits, beginning in the mid-1980s. Most were paid by Social Security, but the state Department of Social and Health Services paid $53,000.

Mirage · Post by **Mirage** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:35 am

Was her favorite movie The Ringer?

AutoPilate · Post by **AutoPilate** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:38 am

I read this on another forum, and someone responded:

Jeff wrote:Blowing your cover on a scam that's made you $280,000 so far by contesting a speeding ticket isn't retarded?

Mirage · Post by **Mirage** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:39 am

AutoPilate wrote:I read this on another forum, and someone responded:

Jeff wrote:Blowing your cover on a scam that's made you $280,000 so far by contesting a speeding ticket isn't retarded?

LOL no, but

picking at his face, slouching and appearing uncommunicative in meetings

Obviously must be.

nobackspacebutton · Post by **nobackspacebutton** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:26 am

oh god...i hate people that scam like that.

nobackspacebutton · Post by **nobackspacebutton** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 10:27 am

dare i say..how...RETARDED....

*looks around*

Have I been flamed yet? >.> <.< >.>

Sheikh Gomelez · Post by **Sheikh Gomelez** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:49 pm

nobackspacebutton wrote:dare i say..how...RETARDED....

*looks around*

Have I been flamed yet? >.> <.< >.>

Don't be coy. You know you want it, girl.

AutoPilate · Post by **AutoPilate** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:53 pm

nobackspacebutton wrote:Have I been flamed yet?

You may need a topical ointment for that.

Sheikh Gomelez · Post by **Sheikh Gomelez** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:06 pm

AutoPilate wrote:
nobackspacebutton wrote:Have I been flamed yet?
You may need a topical ointment for that.

Maybe she likes those "special" inflammations.

nobackspacebutton · Post by **nobackspacebutton** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:04 am