Mom taught her 2 kids to fake retardation

Associated Press ^ | February 27, 2007

[presidio9]

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.

[gridlock]

Perverse incentives incentivize people to do perverse things.

[CholeraJoe]

Great! Maybe I can train my Labradors to act retarded and cash in on the $$$.

Wait...they're Labs. They already act retarded.

[The Pack Knight]

You know, I almost got a job with Binder and Binder, the Social Security Disability firm? I let it fall through, though, because I didn't think I could handle helping losers rip off the taxpayers day in and day out.

[presidio9]

Don't thank me. Thank FDR.

[Melpomene]

Considering their upbringing, I'm kind of surprised they're prosecuting the kids.

[The Great RJ]

Seems like this was a theme for an episode of South Park, where Cartman faked being retarded in order to win the Special Olympics. Another case of life imitating art.

[The Pack Knight]

Don't forget the "Greatest Generation", or their parents, anyway. Yeah, they got through the Great Depression, but not without ruining the country in the process. Besides, I'm still not convinced that the New Deal didn't actually prolong the Depression.

Alright.. maybe that's a little harsh, but the truth is it's going to take generations to clean up this mess, and we haven't even started yet.

[presidio9]

One wonders just how much money Rosie could have earned honestly during the time she was developing this scheme and coaching the kids.

[American_Centurion]

This is fairly common where I grew up. I knew of at least 20 people who faked retardation so they or thier kids could get "crazy checks", aka SS disability payments.

Mississippi Delta, folks it is what it is because of those who are what they are.

[AD from SpringBay]

She should have just told people they got better, maybe after having been to a Benny Hinn performance, or after having visited the John Edwards stem-cell treatment facility.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>>You know, I almost got a job with Binder and Binder, the Social Security Disability firm? <<<

People with legitimate claims don't need the Binders.

[TexasCajun]

When fiction meets realtiy!

[ican'tbelieveit]

... and that was just Binder & Binder...

[AppyPappy]

They call it "crazy money" in the hood. This has been going on for decades

[cripplecreek]

Nobody taught me how.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

[Shady]

This is why America is bankrupt, and NYS is worse!

[dmz]

came pretty naturally to me as well, still does.

[veronica]

Most people could not even dream up such a scam. Sheesh!