Laura
04-28-2010, 04:54 PM
The late A.J. Liebling first noted this phenomenon of the "welfare queen" in his book The Press; the story of the "welfare queen" is one that is repeated in the media because it is something the public would like to believe; most people said to be scamming State assistance programs are not engaging in the high-living people are led to believe. However, these people may very well have found the secret...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_medicaid_millionaires_bklyn_couple_lives_royall y_scams_59g_in_benefits.html
Brooklyn couple lives royally, scams $59G in Medicaid benefits
BY Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, April 28th 2010, 4:00 AM
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/04/28/alg_court_soudry.jpg
Ariel Soudry and his wife Joyce are escorted to court Tuesday for their arraignment
Meet welfare's new king and queen.
A Brooklyn couple with $2 million in the bank and a Land Rover in the driveway illegally collected $59,000 in Medicaid benefits, Brooklyn prosecutors said Tuesday.
Ariel Soudry, 31, and his wife, Joyce, 28, live in a million-dollar home and send their children to private school.
They have rental and condominium developments in Brooklyn and New Jersey, an Audi and a Mercedes - and a real bad attitude.
"Lowlifes - get a real job," Ariel sniped at photographers as he was taken into court to be arraigned on charges that include grand larceny and welfare fraud.
Prosecutors say that while the Soudrys were living royally, they canceled their own health insurance and pretended they were poor so they could qualify for Medicaid.
"They kept this farce up for four years while they raked in the dough," Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said.
While the duo was taking taxpayer money, they were buying and selling real estate firms and converting a Brighton Beach condo complex, authorities said.
"Their seven bank accounts swelled to six digits each," Hynes said. "One even reached $2 million."
Joyce Soudry wore a gray Boss scarf when she appeared in court with her hubby, who had on a $200 Robert Graham shirt embroidered with the slogan, "Knowledge, wisdom, truth."
The Midwood couple faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Both were released without bail.
"We deny all charges," said their lawyer Solomon Anter. "We can't wait for the truth to come out."
The Soudrys were among 32 alleged cheats charged with taking nearly $1 million in benefits after a welfare fraud crackdown.
Marlowe Gershenson, 35, was charged with scamming $63,000 over six years while driving a Bentley coupe and a Land Rover and living with a husband who owns wholesale clothing and real estate companies.
Prosectors say Liz Sobeida, 37, collected nearly half a million dollars in benefits for herself and her two children between 2004 and 2009 by claiming to be a single mother - even though her husband worked at a Cadillac dealership.
Also charged was Shawana Kennedy, 33, who allegedly stole $55,000 by changing her name and claiming to be a single mom when her husband is actually a Sanitation Department employee.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_medicaid_millionaires_bklyn_couple_lives_royall y_scams_59g_in_benefits.html#ixzz0mQk1bdyU
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_medicaid_millionaires_bklyn_couple_lives_royall y_scams_59g_in_benefits.html
Brooklyn couple lives royally, scams $59G in Medicaid benefits
BY Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, April 28th 2010, 4:00 AM
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/04/28/alg_court_soudry.jpg
Ariel Soudry and his wife Joyce are escorted to court Tuesday for their arraignment
Meet welfare's new king and queen.
A Brooklyn couple with $2 million in the bank and a Land Rover in the driveway illegally collected $59,000 in Medicaid benefits, Brooklyn prosecutors said Tuesday.
Ariel Soudry, 31, and his wife, Joyce, 28, live in a million-dollar home and send their children to private school.
They have rental and condominium developments in Brooklyn and New Jersey, an Audi and a Mercedes - and a real bad attitude.
"Lowlifes - get a real job," Ariel sniped at photographers as he was taken into court to be arraigned on charges that include grand larceny and welfare fraud.
Prosecutors say that while the Soudrys were living royally, they canceled their own health insurance and pretended they were poor so they could qualify for Medicaid.
"They kept this farce up for four years while they raked in the dough," Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said.
While the duo was taking taxpayer money, they were buying and selling real estate firms and converting a Brighton Beach condo complex, authorities said.
"Their seven bank accounts swelled to six digits each," Hynes said. "One even reached $2 million."
Joyce Soudry wore a gray Boss scarf when she appeared in court with her hubby, who had on a $200 Robert Graham shirt embroidered with the slogan, "Knowledge, wisdom, truth."
The Midwood couple faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Both were released without bail.
"We deny all charges," said their lawyer Solomon Anter. "We can't wait for the truth to come out."
The Soudrys were among 32 alleged cheats charged with taking nearly $1 million in benefits after a welfare fraud crackdown.
Marlowe Gershenson, 35, was charged with scamming $63,000 over six years while driving a Bentley coupe and a Land Rover and living with a husband who owns wholesale clothing and real estate companies.
Prosectors say Liz Sobeida, 37, collected nearly half a million dollars in benefits for herself and her two children between 2004 and 2009 by claiming to be a single mother - even though her husband worked at a Cadillac dealership.
Also charged was Shawana Kennedy, 33, who allegedly stole $55,000 by changing her name and claiming to be a single mom when her husband is actually a Sanitation Department employee.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_medicaid_millionaires_bklyn_couple_lives_royall y_scams_59g_in_benefits.html#ixzz0mQk1bdyU