Prison for wealthy Seattle couple who took welfare
Sep 21, 2012, 11:39 PM
SEATTLE (AP) – 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.
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