JN
Sep 22nd, 2012, 06:51 AM
Seattle couple who collected welfare while living in million-dollar home heading to prison
By Associated Press, Published: September 21
SEATTLE — A Seattle couple who collected welfare while living in a $1.2 million waterfront home are headed to prison.
A federal judge sentenced chiropractor David Silverstein and his longtime partner, Lyudmila Shimonova, to 18 months in prison Friday. Silverstein also must pay a criminal fine of $30,000, even though he’s already paid $334,000 in restitution and civil penalties.
Shimonova was ordered to pay $261,000 in restitution.
Prosecutors say Silverstein pretended he was Shimonova’s landlord at a home on Lake Washington that she occupied with her two children. In reality, Silverstein was living there too.
Prosecutors say the couple received more than $1,200 each month in federal housing assistance. They also say Shimonova received more than $100,000 in state and Social Security benefits while owning a $12,500 platinum and diamond ring and $17,000 diamond earrings.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/seattle-couple-who-collected-welfare-while-living-in-million-dollar-home-heading-to-prison/2012/09/21/de392518-0445-11e2-9132-f2750cd65f97_story.html)
Related: David Silverstein and Lyudmila Shimonova, Seattle 1 Percenters, Accused of Decade-Long Welfare Fraud
(http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/12/david_silverstein_and_lyudmila.php)
By Associated Press, Published: September 21
SEATTLE — A Seattle couple who collected welfare while living in a $1.2 million waterfront home are headed to prison.
A federal judge sentenced chiropractor David Silverstein and his longtime partner, Lyudmila Shimonova, to 18 months in prison Friday. Silverstein also must pay a criminal fine of $30,000, even though he’s already paid $334,000 in restitution and civil penalties.
Shimonova was ordered to pay $261,000 in restitution.
Prosecutors say Silverstein pretended he was Shimonova’s landlord at a home on Lake Washington that she occupied with her two children. In reality, Silverstein was living there too.
Prosecutors say the couple received more than $1,200 each month in federal housing assistance. They also say Shimonova received more than $100,000 in state and Social Security benefits while owning a $12,500 platinum and diamond ring and $17,000 diamond earrings.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/seattle-couple-who-collected-welfare-while-living-in-million-dollar-home-heading-to-prison/2012/09/21/de392518-0445-11e2-9132-f2750cd65f97_story.html)
Related: David Silverstein and Lyudmila Shimonova, Seattle 1 Percenters, Accused of Decade-Long Welfare Fraud
(http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/12/david_silverstein_and_lyudmila.php)