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80s_Fan · 12-06-2006, 08:56 PM

Mom Fakes Son's Retardation for Benefits
Dec. 6, 2006 — It's a tale of unimaginable fraud.

A mother has been charged with making her son masquerade as a mentally ******** person for nearly 20 years.

Now, federal prosecutors are cracking down on Rosie Marie Costello and her son, Peter, who may have bilked more than $220,000 from the government in fraudulent claims.

Surveillance video shows Rosie Marie trying to get government aid for Peter, whom she claimed was a 26-year-old with the mental capacity of a toddler.

A week later in a courtroom in Vancouver, Wash., the supposedly incapacitated Peter was caught on camera putting up a perfectly coherent argument in a bid to get out of a traffic ticket.

Prosecutors say Rosie Marie confessed to coaching her son to fake symptoms of mental retardation since he was 8 years old.

She also admitted that she lied about having a mentally disabled daughter too, though the girl may not even be related to the Costellos.

U.S. attorney Norman Barbosa called the Costellos' case atrocious.

"Fortunately I don't think it is terribly common. This is a pretty egregious case. We don't see this very often, but when we do, we're going to go after it with all the resources at our disposal," Barbosa said.

Both courtroom tapes are being used as evidence by federal prosecutors.

Mother and son could face up to 10 years in prison.

_________________________________________________________________

It makes me really mad when people like that try to steal money from anybody; it's worse when the money is from the government. In my opinion, they should get a stronger sentence so that way they will learn and not do it again; I hope because people like that deserve to be punished (big time)

Ireneparalegal · 12-06-2006, 08:59 PM

That mother is ********.

80sTrivia · 12-06-2006, 09:03 PM

I just a bit about this on television... infuriating to know how people rip off society...

DOPEY85xxx · 12-06-2006, 09:07 PM

what kind of mother is that?

Hollow · 12-06-2006, 09:19 PM

way to waste 20 years of his life.

dawsongirl · 12-06-2006, 10:58 PM

She probably won't pay back any of it either. We'll just keep paying for her, this time in jail. Ugh...what a lowlife.

Lex Luthor · 12-07-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

She probably won't pay back any of it either. We'll just keep paying for her, this time in jail. Ugh...what a lowlife.

Exactly, scam the system and then we still pay for it when she goes to jail, if she goes to jail

Ireneparalegal · 12-07-2006, 01:11 AM

How can you get $$$ without medical proof of his so-called disability? You can't just apply for benefits and get the $$$. Did he fool doctors too? If so, those are some stupid doctors.

dragster58 · 12-07-2006, 06:56 AM

I am DEAD SURE that these frauds are VERY common....it's just that no-one ever thinks of seriously investigating.....you'll be VERY SURPRISED of what they would find out there!!! I was shocked to hear that MANY families bear children just to get various benefits including council houses, etc. from the govt. What is our "neat" society becoming?!

12-06-2006, 08:56 PM	#1
80s_Fan Healthcare_Clerk Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2004 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 1,697	Unbelievable Mom Fakes Son's Retardation for Benefits Dec. 6, 2006 — It's a tale of unimaginable fraud. A mother has been charged with making her son masquerade as a mentally ******** person for nearly 20 years. Now, federal prosecutors are cracking down on Rosie Marie Costello and her son, Peter, who may have bilked more than $220,000 from the government in fraudulent claims. Surveillance video shows Rosie Marie trying to get government aid for Peter, whom she claimed was a 26-year-old with the mental capacity of a toddler. A week later in a courtroom in Vancouver, Wash., the supposedly incapacitated Peter was caught on camera putting up a perfectly coherent argument in a bid to get out of a traffic ticket. Prosecutors say Rosie Marie confessed to coaching her son to fake symptoms of mental retardation since he was 8 years old. She also admitted that she lied about having a mentally disabled daughter too, though the girl may not even be related to the Costellos. U.S. attorney Norman Barbosa called the Costellos' case atrocious. "Fortunately I don't think it is terribly common. This is a pretty egregious case. We don't see this very often, but when we do, we're going to go after it with all the resources at our disposal," Barbosa said. Both courtroom tapes are being used as evidence by federal prosecutors. Mother and son could face up to 10 years in prison. _________________________________________________________________ It makes me really mad when people like that try to steal money from anybody; it's worse when the money is from the government. In my opinion, they should get a stronger sentence so that way they will learn and not do it again; I hope because people like that deserve to be punished (big time)

12-06-2006, 08:59 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	That mother is ********.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

12-06-2006, 09:03 PM	#3
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	I just a bit about this on television... infuriating to know how people rip off society...
	__________________ Perfect Gift Books for Pop Culture Fanatics: Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book The Bouquet Residence: A Keeping Up Appearances Trivia Book Cooking With the Golden Girls: Fun & Delicious Recipes from a Hilarious Miami Kitchen Love in the Afternoon: The Ultimate Soap Opera Trivia Book The Last Great Decade: The Ultimate 90s Trivia Book Betty White: A Celebration

12-06-2006, 09:07 PM	#4
DOPEY85xxx People really Suck! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2006 Location: United States Baby!! Posts: 340	what kind of mother is that?
	__________________ OOOOOh you're in trouble !!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is like a box of Chocolates Go Buccaneers !!!

12-06-2006, 09:19 PM	#5
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	way to waste 20 years of his life.

12-06-2006, 10:58 PM	#6
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	She probably won't pay back any of it either. We'll just keep paying for her, this time in jail. Ugh...what a lowlife.

12-07-2006, 01:11 AM	#8
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	How can you get $$$ without medical proof of his so-called disability? You can't just apply for benefits and get the $$$. Did he fool doctors too? If so, those are some stupid doctors.

12-07-2006, 06:56 AM	#9
dragster58 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 12, 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 613	I am DEAD SURE that these frauds are VERY common....it's just that no-one ever thinks of seriously investigating.....you'll be VERY SURPRISED of what they would find out there!!! I was shocked to hear that MANY families bear children just to get various benefits including council houses, etc. from the govt. What is our "neat" society becoming?!