Man fakes retardation to collect disability benefits

[dmp]

lol...idiot.

Man accused of faking retardation to collect disability benefits

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - For nearly 20 years - ever since he was 8 - Pete Costello's mother has collected disability benefits on his behalf. In meetings with Social Security officials and psychologists, he appeared mentally retarded and unable to communicate. His mom insisted he couldn't read or write, shower, take care of himself or drive a car.

According to charging documents, his mother claimed that Pete couldn't even sign his own name.

But video of Pete contesting a traffic ticket in a Clark County courtroom earlier this year seems to refute that, according to federal prosecutors who are pursuing fraud charges against the Vancouver pair.

"He's like any other person trying to get out of a traffic ticket," Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Barbosa said Tuesday.

Pete and Rosie Marie Costello were indicted in September on counts of conspiracy to defraud the government and Social Security fraud, and the case was unsealed Tuesday. They were scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Tuesday afternoon.

Barbosa said he planned to file with the court two videos of Pete Costello taken this year: In one, he allegedly feigns retardation during an interview with Social Security workers; the other is of him contesting the traffic ticket in Clark County District Court, with no indications of retardation.

The indictment accuses Costello of faking - or at least exaggerating - retardation since August 1997 because that's what prosecutors are confident they can prove, Barbosa said. But the pair first received benefits 10 years before that. The benefits cited in the indictment totaled more than $111,000.

Barbosa said the government doesn't know whether Costello is mentally retarded at all, but he clearly has been "exaggerating whatever he may have, if any."

"This person isn't being honest with the government about his condition," Barbosa said. "It makes it impossible to sort out."

It was not immediately known if the Costellos had obtained attorneys.

http://www.komotv.com/news/4832911.html

 

[Bonnie]

If he isn't what he claims then I have to say this is one of the most astounding stories I have heard of people trying to soak/steal from the government.

Just like people who claim injuries then are caught on tape dirty dancing at the family bar-b-que...lol pathetic.

My friend had a job as an investigator for an insurance company, I went with her on a few stakeouts....

 

[MtnBiker]

In one, he allegedly feigns retardation during an interview with Social Security workers; the other is of him contesting the traffic ticket in Clark County District Court, with no indications of retardation.

Does he have a drivers license?

How about a social security number and a work record? If he is not retarded you would think that he would have to live his life as a retarded person. The benifits cannot be that equitable to live such a life, and doing so would be, well retarded.

 

[Kagom]

How pathetic.

 

[Mr. P]

The wife does some SSI disability cases; it amazes me what some folks try to pull.

But then, it amazes me how the Government holds back on those that honestly need it even more too.

 

[Gunny]

lol...idiot.

Man accused of faking retardation to collect disability benefits

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - For nearly 20 years - ever since he was 8 - Pete Costello's mother has collected disability benefits on his behalf. In meetings with Social Security officials and psychologists, he appeared mentally retarded and unable to communicate. His mom insisted he couldn't read or write, shower, take care of himself or drive a car.

According to charging documents, his mother claimed that Pete couldn't even sign his own name.

But video of Pete contesting a traffic ticket in a Clark County courtroom earlier this year seems to refute that, according to federal prosecutors who are pursuing fraud charges against the Vancouver pair.

"He's like any other person trying to get out of a traffic ticket," Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Barbosa said Tuesday.

Pete and Rosie Marie Costello were indicted in September on counts of conspiracy to defraud the government and Social Security fraud, and the case was unsealed Tuesday. They were scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Tuesday afternoon.

Barbosa said he planned to file with the court two videos of Pete Costello taken this year: In one, he allegedly feigns retardation during an interview with Social Security workers; the other is of him contesting the traffic ticket in Clark County District Court, with no indications of retardation.

The indictment accuses Costello of faking - or at least exaggerating - retardation since August 1997 because that's what prosecutors are confident they can prove, Barbosa said. But the pair first received benefits 10 years before that. The benefits cited in the indictment totaled more than $111,000.

Barbosa said the government doesn't know whether Costello is mentally retarded at all, but he clearly has been "exaggerating whatever he may have, if any."

"This person isn't being honest with the government about his condition," Barbosa said. "It makes it impossible to sort out."

It was not immediately known if the Costellos had obtained attorneys.

http://www.komotv.com/news/4832911.html

Who was that Mafia dude who walked around in his bathrobe and acted nutty to avoid prosecution? He got away with it for YEARS.

 

[Avatar4321]

Id have to argue that anyone stupid enough to pull a con like this is retarded and thus he should get his benefits of course i should get a portion as counsel:-D

 

[Bonnie]

Who was that Mafia dude who walked around in his bathrobe and acted nutty to avoid prosecution? He got away with it for YEARS.

Mr Gigante of the Genovese Crime Family. He walked around all the time in a bathrobe...