My story: Accused of Residency Fraud

[Anonymous]

Attending a high demand public school, my kids have enjoyed an amazing education and deep relationships with their peers. As a thankful parent, I volunteered regularly and participated in school events, up until last year.

After being victimized in our home of over 15 years, my kids and I retreated to alternative short-term housing, (an air bnb rental) also located in DC. I also, very gratefully, had a long term rental car for a short period with Maryland plates, which enabled a much needed resource to get to and from work.

In the midst of intense family trauma, a few very self-righteous people felt the need to “report” our family for residency fraud. One actually followed us and took pictures of us.

We are taxpayers, residents, and most importantly human beings.

We were not scheming the system and did not deserve the additional attention, intrusion, scrutiny, and targeting during our trauma. Some of the parents still do not realize that we have been cleared. I maintain a high level of discomfort and mistrust for our parent community.

I look forward to the day my children finish at this school, as I hope we can move on from this environment that would actively seek to disrupt the education of a child mid-year.

Previous investigations have found that very few people that are reported are actually found guilty of fraud. Before reporting suspected parents, please consider the hurt you may cause to those who truly don’t deserve it.

[Anonymous]

I am really sorry to hear that OP.

[Anonymous]

People really do need to mind their own business.

If a school admits a child, and the administration continues to support their attendence, you need to get a hobby and stop nosing into other people's lives.

I'm sorry, OP. I hope you find peace, stability and joy.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry to hear that. I think few people even consider that domestic violence, homelessness, medical crises, and other factors might be behind those MD plates. I wish you and your family well.

[Anonymous]

It's an issue, badly run govt. offices.

https://www.makingjusticereal.org/vulnerable-families-caught-up-in-dcs-public-school-residency-fraud-investigation

[Anonymous]

Many people on DCUM are fortunate to never have to imagine, much less live, in the circumstances some DC students do.

And yet, there are families who do commit fraud and enroll in schools they don’t have a right to attend.

I understand OPs anger and hurt. Clearly following someone and taking pictures is well over the line. But never reporting a case of suspected fraud seems wrong too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many people on DCUM are fortunate to never have to imagine, much less live, in the circumstances some DC students do.

And yet, there are families who do commit fraud and enroll in schools they don’t have a right to attend.

I understand OPs anger and hurt. Clearly following someone and taking pictures is well over the line. But never reporting a case of suspected fraud seems wrong too.

I actually don’t understand OPs anger. Clearly OP can understand how his/her situation would appear to be fraudulent. Residency fraud is not a “victimless crime”.

Clearly OPs was found to be innocent; I don’t see the reason to be outraged.

I also don’t like the idea of neighbors reporting on neighbors but unfortunately there are many unethical people out there who take advantage of the system.

[Anonymous]

I'm waiting to get the call next. My daughter's class had a writer's workshop publishing party. She proudly read her author's bio "...and I live in Rockville, Maryland!" Even though we alternate custody each week, she sees my ex's house as temporary living quarters. Maybe it's because my ex is in a two bedroom apartment, and I'm in a townhouse. Either way, I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm waiting to get the call next. My daughter's class had a writer's workshop publishing party. She proudly read her author's bio "...and I live in Rockville, Maryland!" Even though we alternate custody each week, she sees my ex's house as temporary living quarters. Maybe it's because my ex is in a two bedroom apartment, and I'm in a townhouse. Either way, I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

And, if that happens, you can clearly and easily show that your ex is her father, he lives in DC, and your daughter properly attends her school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many people on DCUM are fortunate to never have to imagine, much less live, in the circumstances some DC students do.

And yet, there are families who do commit fraud and enroll in schools they don’t have a right to attend.

I understand OPs anger and hurt. Clearly following someone and taking pictures is well over the line. But never reporting a case of suspected fraud seems wrong too.

I actually don’t understand OPs anger. Clearly OP can understand how his/her situation would appear to be fraudulent. Residency fraud is not a “victimless crime”.

Clearly OPs was found to be innocent; I don’t see the reason to be outraged.

I also don’t like the idea of neighbors reporting on neighbors but unfortunately there are many unethical people out there who take advantage of the system.

I would guess OPs anger is caused by “just one more thing” to deal with in life. When life is running smoothly, this investigation propbably wouldn’t be a big deal. But if you’ve felt an abusive home and your in temporary housing woh kids, your nerves are already frayed. Emotions are running high. An investigation like this just becomes one more things you have to deal with, to document, to consume your time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many people on DCUM are fortunate to never have to imagine, much less live, in the circumstances some DC students do.

And yet, there are families who do commit fraud and enroll in schools they don’t have a right to attend.

I understand OPs anger and hurt. Clearly following someone and taking pictures is well over the line. But never reporting a case of suspected fraud seems wrong too.

I actually don’t understand OPs anger. Clearly OP can understand how his/her situation would appear to be fraudulent. Residency fraud is not a “victimless crime”.

Clearly OPs was found to be innocent; I don’t see the reason to be outraged.

I also don’t like the idea of neighbors reporting on neighbors but unfortunately there are many unethical people out there who take advantage of the system.

you don't see how they could handle it without those investigating being interrogated, threatened and needing a lawyer?

Also, you don't think an innocent person's investigation should be private?

[Anonymous]

OP you are an outlier. 99.999% of cheaters are just cheaters. Your anger should be focused at them.

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attending a high demand public school, my kids have enjoyed an amazing education and deep relationships with their peers. As a thankful parent, I volunteered regularly and participated in school events, up until last year.

After being victimized in our home of over 15 years, my kids and I retreated to alternative short-term housing, (an air bnb rental) also located in DC. I also, very gratefully, had a long term rental car for a short period with Maryland plates, which enabled a much needed resource to get to and from work.

In the midst of intense family trauma, a few very self-righteous people felt the need to “report” our family for residency fraud. One actually followed us and took pictures of us.

We are taxpayers, residents, and most importantly human beings.

We were not scheming the system and did not deserve the additional attention, intrusion, scrutiny, and targeting during our trauma. Some of the parents still do not realize that we have been cleared. I maintain a high level of discomfort and mistrust for our parent community.

I look forward to the day my children finish at this school, as I hope we can move on from this environment that would actively seek to disrupt the education of a child mid-year.

Previous investigations have found that very few people that are reported are actually found guilty of fraud. Before reporting suspected parents, please consider the hurt you may cause to those who truly don’t deserve it.

First, I'm sorry for your circumstances.

But, let me make sure I understand - some parents reported you for residency fraud, when there were at least some indicia that you lived in Maryland. There was an investigation, you were cleared, and your kids still attend the school. And based on this, your plea is that when parents do have a suspicion of residency fraud, they . . . keep their mouths shut? Not say anything?

Sorry, that's ridiculous. And you red herring about "disrupting a child's education" is equally ridiculous. There only would be a disruption if you were found to be a residency cheater. And that's the parent's fault, not the schools. You seem to think that if a parent fraudulently enrolls in the school, their kid has a right to finish the year, because to do otherwise would disrupt the child's education? I'm sorry to keep re-using this word, but that's ridiculous.

You were investigated, and cleared. No harm, no foul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many people on DCUM are fortunate to never have to imagine, much less live, in the circumstances some DC students do.

And yet, there are families who do commit fraud and enroll in schools they don’t have a right to attend.

I understand OPs anger and hurt. Clearly following someone and taking pictures is well over the line. But never reporting a case of suspected fraud seems wrong too.

I actually don’t understand OPs anger. Clearly OP can understand how his/her situation would appear to be fraudulent. Residency fraud is not a “victimless crime”.

Clearly OPs was found to be innocent; I don’t see the reason to be outraged.

I also don’t like the idea of neighbors reporting on neighbors but unfortunately there are many unethical people out there who take advantage of the system.

you don't see how they could handle it without those investigating being interrogated, threatened and needing a lawyer?

Also, you don't think an innocent person's investigation should be private?

Unless you're the OP, you have no basis to believe any of this is true.

If you are the OP, yes, the investigation should be private. How was it not private?

If by interrogated you mean you were questioned, I think that's entirely reasonable.

How do you believe you were threatened?

The decision to hire a lawyer is entirely your own.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for posting, OP.

Some posters on residency threads in previous months and years were giving really aggressive advice, such as following parents around to find evidence of residency fraud. I hope they or someone else didn't take a DCUM comment to heart!

Peace. Remember that most people are decent!