Lonelygirl15

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.

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

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?

picking at his face, slouching and appearing uncommunicative in meetings

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


*looks around*


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

nobackspacebutton wrote:Have I been flamed yet?

AutoPilate wrote:

nobackspacebutton wrote:Have I been flamed yet?

You may need a topical ointment for that.