A wealthy chiropractor and his long-time girlfriend are swapping their $1.2 million waterfront home for prison.
The Seattle couple were discovered to be collecting almost $2,000-a-month welfare benefits and even food stamps while living in the luxury property, driving a Jaguar and traveling the world.
A federal judge sentenced chiropractor David Silverstein, 60, and Lyudmila Shimonova, 53, to 18 months in prison Friday.
Silverstein also must pay a criminal fine of $30,000, which comes on top of the $334,000 he’s already paid 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.
It is thought the couple have spent some of the money they claimed over the last eight years flying to Moscow, Paris, Israel, Turkey, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
All the while, federal authorities say, the couple was collecting more than $100,000 in welfare.
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TXT 24
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