Attorney General Wins $539,000 Judgment against Couple for Fraudulently Enrolling Children in DCPS

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does not make sense is why anyone would go to such lengths to send their kids to DC public schools when they have the option of either Maryland or Virginia schools.

Tripling the amount is excessive though. It should be the amount of "tuition" plus a fine per kid.

The parents are police officers and the kids attended Eaton, Deal, and Wilson which were all convenient to their work places.

So they kept their jobs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: If you know how many of the ppl that I grew up with who now live in MD and opt to send their kids to DC schools, you would be mind-boggled. Most don't even get the fact that it's illegal, they feel as though it's an inconvenience simply solved by using someone else's address. This fraud transcends all programs food stamps, daycare vouchers, DC TAG, school enrollment, and even the DC ONE cards with the rail and bus subsidy. I was in the office last years registering my 8yo for a DC One card and saw a stack of at least 200 cards with yellow labels on the envelope. I curiously asked the worker and he said that those were returned by the PO because ppl either moved or the address didn't exist.

The notion of the 'ancestral' home which entitles one to adopt whatever residence is most convenient is strong and pervasive. It's a truly foreign concept to newer residents to DC but it's real.

That doesn't make it remotely defensible.

What about their rights as citizens of Maryland or Virginia? If I reside in those places, pay taxes there, and expect certain services as a citizen of that state. How does that entitle me to services of a state in which I do not reside nor pay taxes? This isn't like reciprocity for library cards across jurisdiction. This is like expecting DPW to haul your bulk trash from your Maryland home to Ft Totten, or DFD to put out the fire in your MD home. You move out of one state you do not retain any claims to its taxpayer exclusive services, not in the near term and not in perpetuity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: If you know how many of the ppl that I grew up with who now live in MD and opt to send their kids to DC schools, you would be mind-boggled. Most don't even get the fact that it's illegal, they feel as though it's an inconvenience simply solved by using someone else's address. This fraud transcends all programs food stamps, daycare vouchers, DC TAG, school enrollment, and even the DC ONE cards with the rail and bus subsidy. I was in the office last years registering my 8yo for a DC One card and saw a stack of at least 200 cards with yellow labels on the envelope. I curiously asked the worker and he said that those were returned by the PO because ppl either moved or the address didn't exist.

The notion of the 'ancestral' home which entitles one to adopt whatever residence is most convenient is strong and pervasive. It's a truly foreign concept to newer residents to DC but it's real.

That doesn't make it remotely defensible.

What about their rights as citizens of Maryland or Virginia? If I reside in those places, pay taxes there, and expect certain services as a citizen of that state. How does that entitle me to services of a state in which I do not reside nor pay taxes? This isn't like reciprocity for library cards across jurisdiction. This is like expecting DPW to haul your bulk trash from your Maryland home to Ft Totten, or DFD to put out the fire in your MD home. You move out of one state you do not retain any claims to its taxpayer exclusive services, not in the near term and not in perpetuity.

I'm the PPP. Not defending it. But somehow you need to get into the heads and hearts of these people if this is going to stop. Because it's pretty easy to use your parents (kids' grandparents') address as an official school address and get away with it.

[Anonymous]

This is why some cities (like Chicago) requires city employees (teachers, cops, firefighters) to reside within city borders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The ruling should give OSSE further empowerment to go after other residency cheaters. I don't understand why some posters feel triple the amount is excessive -- it is within the law and for all those years other DC students could have filled those seats.

Those complaining just don't understand that the treble penalty is a deterrent. If you tell someone that the only penalty if they get caught stealing something is that they will have to pay for it, then the unethical will calculate that the best option is to try to steal at each opportunity and only pay when they get caught. If the penalty is 3x, then it stings a little more.

[Anonymous]

The False Claims Act is usually used to combat Medicaid fraud in DC, lol no one would be saying that 3X's is too much if it were doctors bilking the system

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does not make sense is why anyone would go to such lengths to send their kids to DC public schools when they have the option of either Maryland or Virginia schools.

Tripling the amount is excessive though. It should be the amount of "tuition" plus a fine per kid.

The parents are police officers and the kids attended Eaton, Deal, and Wilson which were all convenient to their work places.

Aren't those schools just middling to average when you compare them to Arlington, fcps & montgomery county schools?

I get what they did was illegal, but if it was truly about cops/commute, wouldn't it make sense for DC to have a program for law enforcement/fire department to be able to place theirkids in schools close to their precincts, perhaps for a small "tuition" fee? DC really needs good cops and fire/rescue workers. Their kids are likely the tyoe of students who would be assets to this failing school system, as would having law enforcement officers who were personally invested in the local schools being safe and effective due to their own kids attending the schools.

I still thik tripling the fine is ridiculous given the victimless nature of the crime.

This. Their lives at pretty much ruined by that fantastical sum they'll be paying off forever. Their kids' college money, their retirement, gone. I am not supporting fraud, but I know how impossible it can be for working families to juggle shifts, kids, and life. I don't really blame anyone for doing what they can--we all do.

Of course. I also think dc is a ridiculous place that makes ridiculous distinctions between itself and Maryland... And should jsut be a part of Maryland already.

And no, for the trillionth time: not a pg resident. We live in the district. Send our kids to district schools. Zoned for deal and Wilson. Never needed prek3 here. Maybe that's my problem? I have no skin in this game. I don't feel cheated, except that I have to live in such a sad, vindictive, malarial swamp ass of a city.

Here's a solution: Move!

I truly pity people who don't/can't live where they want to live. How miserable...

I truly pity people who think this is a nice place. I've made my peace with how terrible it is here. It's usually amusing. And you all are always entertaining with your miserable striving schemes. And we have money, that does help. But the amount of joy some of you get from the suffering of others... Your righteous zealotry... I assume this is why you really went into politics? So you'd have an excuse to be insufferable?

It's funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does not make sense is why anyone would go to such lengths to send their kids to DC public schools when they have the option of either Maryland or Virginia schools.

Tripling the amount is excessive though. It should be the amount of "tuition" plus a fine per kid.

The parents are police officers and the kids attended Eaton, Deal, and Wilson which were all convenient to their work places.

Aren't those schools just middling to average when you compare them to Arlington, fcps & montgomery county schools?

I get what they did was illegal, but if it was truly about cops/commute, wouldn't it make sense for DC to have a program for law enforcement/fire department to be able to place theirkids in schools close to their precincts, perhaps for a small "tuition" fee? DC really needs good cops and fire/rescue workers. Their kids are likely the tyoe of students who would be assets to this failing school system, as would having law enforcement officers who were personally invested in the local schools being safe and effective due to their own kids attending the schools.

I still thik tripling the fine is ridiculous given the victimless nature of the crime.

This. Their lives at pretty much ruined by that fantastical sum they'll be paying off forever. Their kids' college money, their retirement, gone. I am not supporting fraud, but I know how impossible it can be for working families to juggle shifts, kids, and life. I don't really blame anyone for doing what they can--we all do.

Of course. I also think dc is a ridiculous place that makes ridiculous distinctions between itself and Maryland... And should jsut be a part of Maryland already.

And no, for the trillionth time: not a pg resident. We live in the district. Send our kids to district schools. Zoned for deal and Wilson. Never needed prek3 here. Maybe that's my problem? I have no skin in this game. I don't feel cheated, except that I have to live in such a sad, vindictive, malarial swamp ass of a city.

Here's a solution: Move!

I truly pity people who don't/can't live where they want to live. How miserable...

I truly pity people who think this is a nice place. I've made my peace with how terrible it is here. It's usually amusing. And you all are always entertaining with your miserable striving schemes. And we have money, that does help. But the amount of joy some of you get from the suffering of others... Your righteous zealotry... I assume this is why you really went into politics? So you'd have an excuse to be insufferable?

It's funny.

cry me a river. "suffering of others"? Please. This was a 2 income family which owned at least one investment property. Cops don't generally get rich but it's a decent paying job with good benefits (how many DCUM posters have pensions?). I don't get the pathology in defending people who were caught red handed committing extensive fraud of government services. Above PP comparison to doctors bilking DC Medicare payments is an excellent example.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: If you know how many of the ppl that I grew up with who now live in MD and opt to send their kids to DC schools, you would be mind-boggled. Most don't even get the fact that it's illegal, they feel as though it's an inconvenience simply solved by using someone else's address. This fraud transcends all programs food stamps, daycare vouchers, DC TAG, school enrollment, and even the DC ONE cards with the rail and bus subsidy. I was in the office last years registering my 8yo for a DC One card and saw a stack of at least 200 cards with yellow labels on the envelope. I curiously asked the worker and he said that those were returned by the PO because ppl either moved or the address didn't exist.

The notion of the 'ancestral' home which entitles one to adopt whatever residence is most convenient is strong and pervasive. It's a truly foreign concept to newer residents to DC but it's real.

That doesn't make it remotely defensible.

What about their rights as citizens of Maryland or Virginia? If I reside in those places, pay taxes there, and expect certain services as a citizen of that state. How does that entitle me to services of a state in which I do not reside nor pay taxes? This isn't like reciprocity for library cards across jurisdiction. This is like expecting DPW to haul your bulk trash from your Maryland home to Ft Totten, or DFD to put out the fire in your MD home. You move out of one state you do not retain any claims to its taxpayer exclusive services, not in the near term and not in perpetuity.

I'm the PPP. Not defending it. But somehow you need to get into the heads and hearts of these people if this is going to stop. Because it's pretty easy to use your parents (kids' grandparents') address as an official school address and get away with it.

One way to get into their heads is marking a clear line in the sand about the penalties for committing fraud. Make them think twice about using that relative's address illegally because it could have steep consequences if discovered.

[Anonymous]

I know a family that has had 3 children in DCPS and now a highly sought after charter. They live in PG but feel entitled to DC schools because the wife owns a house in DC. They are also a family that is part of the religious establishment. However, they think nothing of committing fraud and clearly don't practice what they preach (literally).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does not make sense is why anyone would go to such lengths to send their kids to DC public schools when they have the option of either Maryland or Virginia schools.

Tripling the amount is excessive though. It should be the amount of "tuition" plus a fine per kid.

Punitive damages = intended to send a message.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here: Both husband and wife are MPD officers: http://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-files-suit-against-police-officers-who-claimed-false-district-residency

One would think police officers would be acquainted with the consequences of law-breaking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does not make sense is why anyone would go to such lengths to send their kids to DC public schools when they have the option of either Maryland or Virginia schools.

Tripling the amount is excessive though. It should be the amount of "tuition" plus a fine per kid.

The parents are police officers and the kids attended Eaton, Deal, and Wilson which were all convenient to their work places.

Aren't those schools just middling to average when you compare them to Arlington, fcps & montgomery county schools?

I get what they did was illegal, but if it was truly about cops/commute, wouldn't it make sense for DC to have a program for law enforcement/fire department to be able to place theirkids in schools close to their precincts, perhaps for a small "tuition" fee? DC really needs good cops and fire/rescue workers. Their kids are likely the tyoe of students who would be assets to this failing school system, as would having law enforcement officers who were personally invested in the local schools being safe and effective due to their own kids attending the schools.

I still thik tripling the fine is ridiculous given the victimless nature of the crime.

This. Their lives at pretty much ruined by that fantastical sum they'll be paying off forever. Their kids' college money, their retirement, gone. I am not supporting fraud, but I know how impossible it can be for working families to juggle shifts, kids, and life. I don't really blame anyone for doing what they can--we all do.

Of course. I also think dc is a ridiculous place that makes ridiculous distinctions between itself and Maryland... And should jsut be a part of Maryland already.

And no, for the trillionth time: not a pg resident. We live in the district. Send our kids to district schools. Zoned for deal and Wilson. Never needed prek3 here. Maybe that's my problem? I have no skin in this game. I don't feel cheated, except that I have to live in such a sad, vindictive, malarial swamp ass of a city.

Here's a solution: Move!

I truly pity people who don't/can't live where they want to live. How miserable...

I truly pity people who think this is a nice place. I've made my peace with how terrible it is here. It's usually amusing. And you all are always entertaining with your miserable striving schemes. And we have money, that does help. But the amount of joy some of you get from the suffering of others... Your righteous zealotry... I assume this is why you really went into politics? So you'd have an excuse to be insufferable?

It's funny.

That's why we're a 100% Democrat town, baby!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does not make sense is why anyone would go to such lengths to send their kids to DC public schools when they have the option of either Maryland or Virginia schools.

Tripling the amount is excessive though. It should be the amount of "tuition" plus a fine per kid.

The parents are police officers and the kids attended Eaton, Deal, and Wilson which were all convenient to their work places.

Aren't those schools just middling to average when you compare them to Arlington, fcps & montgomery county schools?

I get what they did was illegal, but if it was truly about cops/commute, wouldn't it make sense for DC to have a program for law enforcement/fire department to be able to place theirkids in schools close to their precincts, perhaps for a small "tuition" fee? DC really needs good cops and fire/rescue workers. Their kids are likely the tyoe of students who would be assets to this failing school system, as would having law enforcement officers who were personally invested in the local schools being safe and effective due to their own kids attending the schools.

I still thik tripling the fine is ridiculous given the victimless nature of the crime.

This. Their lives at pretty much ruined by that fantastical sum they'll be paying off forever. Their kids' college money, their retirement, gone. I am not supporting fraud, but I know how impossible it can be for working families to juggle shifts, kids, and life. I don't really blame anyone for doing what they can--we all do.

Of course. I also think dc is a ridiculous place that makes ridiculous distinctions between itself and Maryland... And should jsut be a part of Maryland already.

And no, for the trillionth time: not a pg resident. We live in the district. Send our kids to district schools. Zoned for deal and Wilson. Never needed prek3 here. Maybe that's my problem? I have no skin in this game. I don't feel cheated, except that I have to live in such a sad, vindictive, malarial swamp ass of a city.

Here's a solution: Move!

I truly pity people who don't/can't live where they want to live. How miserable...

I truly pity people who think this is a nice place. I've made my peace with how terrible it is here. It's usually amusing. And you all are always entertaining with your miserable striving schemes. And we have money, that does help. But the amount of joy some of you get from the suffering of others... Your righteous zealotry... I assume this is why you really went into politics? So you'd have an excuse to be insufferable?

It's funny.

NP--You are pitiable. I'm happy to live in a place that I actually like. Sorry (not really) that you can't say the same. If you had any real money, you would M.O.V.E. Instead, you're stuck living in a place that you hate; feeling bitter and resentful. Sucks to be you--lol!

[Anonymous]

I agree. Bitter people make me laugh.