TACOMA, Wash. -- Since Pete Costello was 8 years old, his mother has been collecting disability benefits for him. Over the years she said her son was mentally retarded and couldn't take care of himself.
But nearly 20 years later, Pete Costello is a grown man. And according to prosecutors, he's just fine.
They say the Costellos were tripped-up when Pete went to court in Washington state to contest a traffic ticket. They've got a video that the U.S. Attorney's office said shows him trying to get out of the ticket just like anyone else.
They've also got another video, also from this year, in which Costello allegedly feigns retardation while being interviewed by Social Security workers.
An indictment accuses Costello and his mother of faking, or at least exaggerating, retardation since 1997, which is what prosecutors think they can prove. They allegedly collected $111,000 in benefits.
But nearly 20 years later, Pete Costello is a grown man. And according to prosecutors, he's just fine.
They say the Costellos were tripped-up when Pete went to court in Washington state to contest a traffic ticket. They've got a video that the U.S. Attorney's office said shows him trying to get out of the ticket just like anyone else.
They've also got another video, also from this year, in which Costello allegedly feigns retardation while being interviewed by Social Security workers.
An indictment accuses Costello and his mother of faking, or at least exaggerating, retardation since 1997, which is what prosecutors think they can prove. They allegedly collected $111,000 in benefits.
hno: damn, i thought i turned my webcam off.:notme:
